In a move that is sure to rile Roman conservatives, imperial advisers Seneca and Burrus, worried that Emperor Nero may become dissatisfied and restless with his wife, Octavia, have urged the young emperor to take a freed slave named Claudia Acte as a mistress.
Sources say that apparently the two advisers, and in particular adviser Seneca, are worried that Nero is growing dissatisfied with his wife. Seneca wishes to keep him from tarnishing what has, thus far, been a just and well-received reign, with risky sexual exploits that may cause scandal.
Roman conservatives, who strongly believe in the value of traditional roman marriage will likely not react very kindly if Nero should choose to follow the advice of Seneca and Burrus. Nevertheless, Emperor Nero would be doing nothing illegal, or unprecedented, and would likely be quickly forgiven even by the staunchest conservatives, so long as his marriage (and his government) remains sound.
Also, to answer the question that we know you are all thinking right now, sources say that Agrippina does not look favorably upon this advice. Nero, should be choose to follow it, will certainly be causing additional friction between himself, Seneca, Burrus, and Agrippina. Knowing Agrippina's violent history...one might tread lightly on that shaky ground.
For the record: Sources tell us that Seneca and Burrus have also made it clear to Nero that a marriage to Acte (and a divorce from Octavia) is out of the question.
