Nero: Matricide, Music, and Murder in Imperial Rome

Historian Everitt (Cicero; Hadrian and the Triumph of Rome) and investigative journalist Ashworth present a deep dive into the life and times of Roman emperor Nero, who reigned from C.E. 54 until he died in C.E. 68. With painstaking detail, the authors investigate surviving ancient original texts written mainly by Nero’s enemies, and unconfirmed rumors passed down through the ages. They reveal surprising evidence that ordinary Romans loved Nero and that his rule wasn’t much worse than the other Caesars. This refreshing work offers a balanced view of Nero as an insecure young man who probably never should have been vested with power and authority. The background information about the life and times of Romans during his reign helps clarify the contradiction between Nero’s sordid reputation and his connection with the middle and lower classes. Award-winning narrator Greg Patmore’s baritone voice steadily guides listeners through this intriguing, full-on story of the great-great-grandson of Augustus, the founder of the Roman Empire.