Nero, Lucius Domitius. Born in 37. Emperor of Rome, grandson of Germanicus. Was adopted by Claudius in the year 50, and succeeded him in 54. Nero caused his mother, Agrippina, to be murdered for opposing his divorce from Octavia and marriage with Poppaea Sabina, this being accomplished by the murder of the former. He persecuted the Christians, whom he charged with the burning of Rome in 64, and married Messalina after the death of his second wife. The conspiracy of Piso was discovered, but on the success of that of Galba, Nero put an end to his life.

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