Nero, the fifth emperor of Rome, died on this day in 68 A.D. He was the last emperor in the Julio-Claudian dynasty, the one started by the descendants of Julius Caesar, who was not officially made an emperor before his murder. Nero's reign was tyrannical, including a penchant for executions, including those of his mother, wife, and stepbrother. He was guilty of many, many terrible things—but for the record, he didn't actually play the fiddle while Rome burned.
His rule had a major focus on boosting Rome's cultural scene and aggressive diplomacy, including a successful war and the tamping down of a revolt in Britain. In 64 A.D., Rome was destroyed by a fire. That, plus revolts across the empire in the following years, meant Nero had to abdicate. He died by suicide shortly thereafter.
You can learn more about Nero in this article from the New Yorker.
