Nero’s making his list and checking it twice: who’s in and who’s out?
Nero has enacted major changes to the government since becoming Emperor and Many of these changes include the removal of staff members, personal advisors, executive administration members, members of the Senate, and even family!
Today Sententia Publicus takes a chronological look at who’s been in and who’s now out.
55 CE
Nero has enacted major changes to the government since becoming Emperor and Many of these changes include the removal of staff members, personal advisors, executive administration members, members of the Senate, and even family!
Today Sententia Publicus takes a chronological look at who’s been in and who’s now out.
55 CE
- All seems well within the royal family until 12 Feb, 55 CE, when Nero’s younger step brother abruptly expires. The official word is that Britannicus died from a seizure; however, rumors and suspicions have arisen that Brittanicus was perhaps killed by Nero himself. The truth of this story, we fear, will never see the light of day.
- Later in the year, Nero removes Marcus Antonius Pallas from his esteemed position with Rome’s treasury on the accusation that he is squandering funds. Along with Pallas, Nero accuses long time advisor Sextus Afranius Burrus of conspiracy to usurp him from the throne. While both are acquitted in court, they are no longer active members of the ruling government.
- Even further along in the same year Nero accuses his tutor, Lucius Senneca, of embezzling funds and having relations with his mother Agrippina. Seneca is forced to step down from his position within executive administration. Seneca has been acquitted of the charges, and pursues an academic career.
- Nero “reassigns” his lifelong friend Otho from duties in Rome to the role of Governor in the remote province of Lusitania.
- After surviving three poisoning attempts and surviving a boat collision and consequent scuttle by swimming to shore, Agrippina was found dead at her home in what appears to have been a suicide. Rumors are rampant that her death was ordered by her son, Emperor Nero; however, While Nero is Emperor, no one may challenge his decree that her cause of death was a suicide.
- After banishment to Campania, Nero’s former wife Octavia was discovered dead after what again appeared to be a suicide.
- Other public affairs figures that Nero has ordered “expired” during this year include: Rubellius Plautus, Faustus Sulla, and ousted Former Treasurer, Marcus Antonius Pallas.
