CLST 201 Lecture Notes - Wahoo, Wild Beasts, Poppaea Sabina
Document Summary
50 claudius -- adoption of nero as son. Nero"s mom agrippina schemed to get rid of rivals to emperor"s position. 1st 5 years of reign 54-49 guided by wise mentors. Mother agrippina gave him gift of empire. Mother desired to act as regent for son; full participation in daily governing of empire (same as when she married claudius) Password to guard: the best of mothers . First 5 years: 5 year period of principit. Quinquennium neronis (grouped together before descent into tyranny) Not reality that 5 years was devoid of any wickedness (dundundun) in 45, had adopted bro (britannicus) poisioned (smart way theory: hot tea was tested and refused, then cold water w/ poison brought) 55: fell in love with freed woman: acte (former slave ooh) ignored virtuous aristocratic wife. Affair strained relations w/ mother as well. Agrippina began losing control despite positive influence of mentors in early years. Proved he was ill-suited to maintain large empire (ex.