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Nero Appreciation thread Nero's Early Life and Reign The death of Claudius in 54 A.D., generally thought to have been planned and carried out by his wife Agrippina Minor, secured for her son Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus the place as emperor which she had so carefully arranged. Before his death, Claudius, though he already had a son Britannicus, had adopted Lucius, who changed his name to Nero Claudius Caesar, (a great-great-grandson of Augustus) at Agrippina's instigation; instrumental too in the transfer of power was the influence of Seneca, Nero's tutor, and of Sextus Afranius Burrus, the praetorian prefect. Since Nero was only an adolescent, the early part of his reign was characterized by direction from these older figures, including Agrippina herself. Some scholars see a struggle between Agrippina against Seneca and Burrus for control of the young emperor, and when Agrippina began to show favor to Britannicus, a legitimate (though slightly younger) heir and possible rival, Britannicus' murder was arranged (55 A.D.) and Agrippina's authority displaced. Nero's Dissolute Nature The traditional portrait of Nero's dissolute life derives at least in part from the years which fallowed soon after his accession; the attraction of Poppaea Sabina who was married first to Rufrius Crispinus end then to Otho (himself a close friend of Nero), may have had same connection with the divorce, exile, and murder of Nero's first wife, Octavia, Claudius' daughter. Poppaea became Nero's mistress in 58 A.D., and the next year Agrippina herself was murdered, with Nero's knowledge. Burrus and Seneca continued in their guidance until 62 A.D. when the former died and the latter entered retirement. In their place that year appeared a counselor, Gaius Ofonius Tigellinus, who had been exiled in 39 A.D. by Caius (Caligula) for adultery with Agrippina, but who returned to find favor with Nero and a post for himself as praetorian prefect, from which position he exerted a further degenerating influence on Nero. Nero's Marriage and the Burning of Rome Poppaea and Nero married in 62 A.D., and she bore a daughter to him the next year, but the child died only a few months later. The events of 62 and the next few years did little to improve public perception of Nero. In 62, at Tigellinus' instigation, a series of treason laws were put to deadly use against anyone considered a threat. In 64 A.D. a great fire left much of the city in ruins, and while it is not certain that Nero himself had the fires set, it is true that his ambitious building campaign, which followed the fires (and in particular the construction of the Domus Aurea), represented to many a private selfishness at a time when public reconstruction was most needed. In 65 A.D. Nero's artistic inclinations, present since his accession, became truly public, and in a display which shocked conservative tastes he appeared on stage and sang for audiences. Nero's Fall From Power His enemies had become numerous, and that same year a plot to assassinate Nero and to replace him with Gaius Calpurnius Piso was both formulated and betrayed; among those forced to commit suicide in connection with the Pisonian conspiracy were Seneca, Lucan, Petronius, and Tigellinus' colleague in the prefecture (his replacement, Nymphidius, was to be influential in the accession of Galba three years later). Poppaea died in 66 A.D., and the next year Nero left Rome altogether for a tour of Greece, during which his extravagances alienated him further still from general citizens and military commanders alike. More crucially, in his paranoia after the conspiracy he ordered a popular and successful general, Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo, to commit suicide, a decision which left other provincial leaders in doubt about his next move and inclined toward rebellion rather than inaction. The Year of the Four Emperors In 68 A.D. Vindex revolted in Lugdunensis, as did Clodius Macer in Africa. Galba declared his allegiance to the Senate and the Roman people, rather than to Nero. Such unrest in the provinces, coupled with intrigue at Rome among the praetorians (orchestrated at least in part by Nymphidius), provided Nero's enemies, especially within the Senate, with their chance to depose him. He committed suicide on 9 June 68 A.D. A Historical Assessment of Nero as Emperor Nero, last of the Julio-Claudians, had been placed in the difficult position of absolute authority at a young age coupled with the often-contradictory efforts of those in a position to manipulate him. Augustus, however, had not been much older when he began his bid for power, and so a great deal of the responsibility for Nero's conduct must also rest with the man himself. Nero's reign was not without military operations (e.g., the campaigns of Corbulo against the Parthians, the suppression of the revolt of Boudicca in Britain), but his neglect of the armies was a critical error. He left Rome not to review his troops but to compete in Greek games, and as a further slight had left a freedman, Helius, in his place at Rome to govern in his absence. The suspicion which surrounded him after the treason trials and the conspiracy set the stage for a series of civil upheavals, "the Year of the Four Emperors," which included the rise to power of men, such as Otho in Lusitania and Vespasian in Judaea, whom Nero himself had sent to the frontiers, unaware that they were to become his successors. | |
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"The world loses in me, a great musician." Insatiable taught me everything I know about balls.
"I was born dancing! I came dancing out of my mom's vagina! Moonwalking and stuff..." - Number23 on the telphone. | |
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Nero said: "The world loses in me, a great musician."
"Love warms the soul yet slaughters the muse." | |
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Ehem.
"What an artist dies in me!" Insatiable taught me everything I know about balls.
"I was born dancing! I came dancing out of my mom's vagina! Moonwalking and stuff..." - Number23 on the telphone. | |
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Nero said: Ehem.
"What an artist dies in me!" "Go, Tommy, Go as u Live 4 Love." | |
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Bob Dylan
I Believe In You They ask me how I feel And if my love is real And how I know I'll make it through. And they, they look at me and frown, They'd like to drive me from this town, They don't want me around 'Cause I believe in you. They show me to the door, They say don't come back no more 'Cause I don't be like they'd like me to, And I walk out on my own A thousand miles from home But I don't feel alone 'Cause I believe in you. I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter, I believe in you even though we be apart. I believe in you even on the morning after. Oh, when the dawn is nearing Oh, when the night is disappearing Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart. Don't let me drift too far, Keep me where you are Where I will always be renewed. And that which you've given me today Is worth more than I could pay And no matter what they say I believe in you. I believe in you when winter turn to summer, I believe in you when white turn to black, I believe in you even though I be outnumbered. Oh, though the earth may shake me Oh, though my friends forsake me Oh, even that couldn't make me go back. Don't let me change my heart, Keep me set apart From all the plans they do pursue. And I, I don't mind the pain Don't mind the driving rain I know I will sustain 'Cause I believe in you. . [Edited 7/20/05 10:08am] | |
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shausler said: Bob Dylan
I Believe In You They ask me how I feel And if my love is real And how I know I'll make it through. And they, they look at me and frown, They'd like to drive me from this town, They don't want me around 'Cause I believe in you. They show me to the door, They say don't come back no more 'Cause I don't be like they'd like me to, And I walk out on my own A thousand miles from home But I don't feel alone 'Cause I believe in you. I believe in you even through the tears and the laughter, I believe in you even though we be apart. I believe in you even on the morning after. Oh, when the dawn is nearing Oh, when the night is disappearing Oh, this feeling is still here in my heart. Don't let me drift too far, Keep me where you are Where I will always be renewed. And that which you've given me today Is worth more than I could pay And no matter what they say I believe in you. I believe in you when winter turn to summer, I believe in you when white turn to black, I believe in you even though I be outnumbered. Oh, though the earth may shake me Oh, though my friends forsake me Oh, even that couldn't make me go back. Don't let me change my heart, Keep me set apart From all the plans they do pursue. And I, I don't mind the pain Don't mind the driving rain I know I will sustain 'Cause I believe in you. . [Edited 7/20/05 10:08am] [Edited 7/20/05 11:06am] | |
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StaticDeth said: No one ever makes me feel as appreciated as my Re Re. Insatiable taught me everything I know about balls.
"I was born dancing! I came dancing out of my mom's vagina! Moonwalking and stuff..." - Number23 on the telphone. | |
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Nero said: StaticDeth said: No one ever makes me feel as appreciated as my Re Re. | |
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I have a newfound appreciation for this girl. | |
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StaticDeth said: Nero said: No one ever makes me feel as appreciated as my Re Re. Nothing like Dysfunctional Psycho Love! The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them. -- Mark Twain.
BOB JOHNSON IS PART OF THE PROBLEM!! | |
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She's pretty fuckin' cool....for a girl. | |
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Number23 said: Nero's Early Life and Reign The death of Claudius in 54 A.D., generally thought to have been planned and carried out by his wife Agrippina Minor, secured for her son Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus the place as emperor which she had so carefully arranged. Before his death, Claudius, though he already had a son Britannicus, had adopted Lucius, who changed his name to Nero Claudius Caesar, (a great-great-grandson of Augustus) at Agrippina's instigation; instrumental too in the transfer of power was the influence of Seneca, Nero's tutor, and of Sextus Afranius Burrus, the praetorian prefect. Since Nero was only an adolescent, the early part of his reign was characterized by direction from these older figures, including Agrippina herself. Some scholars see a struggle between Agrippina against Seneca and Burrus for control of the young emperor, and when Agrippina began to show favor to Britannicus, a legitimate (though slightly younger) heir and possible rival, Britannicus' murder was arranged (55 A.D.) and Agrippina's authority displaced. Nero's Dissolute Nature The traditional portrait of Nero's dissolute life derives at least in part from the years which fallowed soon after his accession; the attraction of Poppaea Sabina who was married first to Rufrius Crispinus end then to Otho (himself a close friend of Nero), may have had same connection with the divorce, exile, and murder of Nero's first wife, Octavia, Claudius' daughter. Poppaea became Nero's mistress in 58 A.D., and the next year Agrippina herself was murdered, with Nero's knowledge. Burrus and Seneca continued in their guidance until 62 A.D. when the former died and the latter entered retirement. In their place that year appeared a counselor, Gaius Ofonius Tigellinus, who had been exiled in 39 A.D. by Caius (Caligula) for adultery with Agrippina, but who returned to find favor with Nero and a post for himself as praetorian prefect, from which position he exerted a further degenerating influence on Nero. Nero's Marriage and the Burning of Rome Poppaea and Nero married in 62 A.D., and she bore a daughter to him the next year, but the child died only a few months later. The events of 62 and the next few years did little to improve public perception of Nero. In 62, at Tigellinus' instigation, a series of treason laws were put to deadly use against anyone considered a threat. In 64 A.D. a great fire left much of the city in ruins, and while it is not certain that Nero himself had the fires set, it is true that his ambitious building campaign, which followed the fires (and in particular the construction of the Domus Aurea), represented to many a private selfishness at a time when public reconstruction was most needed. In 65 A.D. Nero's artistic inclinations, present since his accession, became truly public, and in a display which shocked conservative tastes he appeared on stage and sang for audiences. Nero's Fall From Power His enemies had become numerous, and that same year a plot to assassinate Nero and to replace him with Gaius Calpurnius Piso was both formulated and betrayed; among those forced to commit suicide in connection with the Pisonian conspiracy were Seneca, Lucan, Petronius, and Tigellinus' colleague in the prefecture (his replacement, Nymphidius, was to be influential in the accession of Galba three years later). Poppaea died in 66 A.D., and the next year Nero left Rome altogether for a tour of Greece, during which his extravagances alienated him further still from general citizens and military commanders alike. More crucially, in his paranoia after the conspiracy he ordered a popular and successful general, Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo, to commit suicide, a decision which left other provincial leaders in doubt about his next move and inclined toward rebellion rather than inaction. The Year of the Four Emperors In 68 A.D. Vindex revolted in Lugdunensis, as did Clodius Macer in Africa. Galba declared his allegiance to the Senate and the Roman people, rather than to Nero. Such unrest in the provinces, coupled with intrigue at Rome among the praetorians (orchestrated at least in part by Nymphidius), provided Nero's enemies, especially within the Senate, with their chance to depose him. He committed suicide on 9 June 68 A.D. A Historical Assessment of Nero as Emperor Nero, last of the Julio-Claudians, had been placed in the difficult position of absolute authority at a young age coupled with the often-contradictory efforts of those in a position to manipulate him. Augustus, however, had not been much older when he began his bid for power, and so a great deal of the responsibility for Nero's conduct must also rest with the man himself. Nero's reign was not without military operations (e.g., the campaigns of Corbulo against the Parthians, the suppression of the revolt of Boudicca in Britain), but his neglect of the armies was a critical error. He left Rome not to review his troops but to compete in Greek games, and as a further slight had left a freedman, Helius, in his place at Rome to govern in his absence. The suspicion which surrounded him after the treason trials and the conspiracy set the stage for a series of civil upheavals, "the Year of the Four Emperors," which included the rise to power of men, such as Otho in Lusitania and Vespasian in Judaea, whom Nero himself had sent to the frontiers, unaware that they were to become his successors. | |
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I love Nero, and YOU.
| |
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If the Org is a big ol' cream cake, then Nero is the cherry on top. Bitter and sweet at the same time and the proudest topping you could possibly find.
She's smart as a whip, eloquent, tough, creative, funny. I'm impressed, I must say. Just make sure you never become her ex boyfriend. Then you'll know what it feels like to be steamrolled. Just ask the now legendary N. | |
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retina said: If the Org is a big ol' cream cake, then Nero is the cherry on top. Bitter and sweet at the same time and the proudest topping you could possibly find.
She's smart as a whip, eloquent, tough, creative, funny. I'm impressed, I must say. Just make sure you never become her ex boyfriend. Then you'll know what it feels like to be steamrolled. Just ask the now legendary N. Nice. No more N. Insatiable taught me everything I know about balls.
"I was born dancing! I came dancing out of my mom's vagina! Moonwalking and stuff..." - Number23 on the telphone. | |
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i certainly appreciate nero. yay! nero! | |
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...now where's my fuckin letter! | |
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skcoSsaihtnyC said: ...now where's my fuckin letter! Need your fuckin' address, honestly. I got confused and threw everything but that cool stamp away. And the letter itself. I meant the wrappings. Orgnote it to me and I'll have one in the mail tomorrow. Insatiable taught me everything I know about balls.
"I was born dancing! I came dancing out of my mom's vagina! Moonwalking and stuff..." - Number23 on the telphone. | |
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ehhhh
shes ok i guess | |
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shausler said: ehhhh
shes ok i guess That's not what your orgnotes say. Insatiable taught me everything I know about balls.
"I was born dancing! I came dancing out of my mom's vagina! Moonwalking and stuff..." - Number23 on the telphone. | |
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Nero said: shausler said: ehhhh
shes ok i guess That's not what your orgnotes say. you can be MY Daddy | |
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shausler said: Nero said: That's not what your orgnotes say. you can be MY Daddy Hmm. You killed my thread. Insatiable taught me everything I know about balls.
"I was born dancing! I came dancing out of my mom's vagina! Moonwalking and stuff..." - Number23 on the telphone. | |
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She's my book buddy.
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2the9s said: She's my book buddy.
Mitchell's coming! Insatiable taught me everything I know about balls.
"I was born dancing! I came dancing out of my mom's vagina! Moonwalking and stuff..." - Number23 on the telphone. | |
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Hey, chicken butt, I called you back and left a message.
I appreciate you. | |
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AzureStarr said: Hey, chicken butt, I called you back and left a message.
I appreciate you. I didn't get it, monkey head. But, I'm just now checking. I didn't have anything great to say. I was going to ask you what the moon looked like tonight in Michigan. Got your message. You've got a sexy voice, Featherloo. Insatiable taught me everything I know about balls.
"I was born dancing! I came dancing out of my mom's vagina! Moonwalking and stuff..." - Number23 on the telphone. | |
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They should create a new cartoon called Monkey Head and Chicken Butt. When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading. | |
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