Grumblefish
29-08-2003, 11:23 AM
As anyone of sound mind knows, Nero Claudius Caesar was Rome's finest statesman, and a true hero of the people. Unfortunately, the brain-washing programs here in the US have given the disgraceful population of the country I'm stuck in the thought that Nero was a bad, nay, horrible emperor. This wrong must be made right, and I feel that the job is left for me. You drop-kicks obviously aren't up to the task, so sit tight and let me explain how it really went down in the second rate peripheral power that we call the Roman Empire.
Born in 37 ce, Nero accepted the throne in 54 by virtue of a strong will to improve the Roman man's lot. Early in his reign, Nero was assisted by his Mother and others, but as he grew they became very protective of their fading power, and he had to dispatch many of them. He did this, however, for the stability of the country, and their deaths can be excused by the fact that they were killed to prevent a disastrous power struggle.
Now, as a young Emperor, Nero did an excellent job. Foreign nations loved him, as did his people, as he was a very charitable and polite man, a veritable philanthropist if you will. It is a commonly known fact that Nero once said "oh, I wish I had never learnt to write," due to the fact that he so disliked having to sign criminal's death warrants. Truly, for the first half or so of his reign he was perfect, and didn't make a single wrong move. He even abolished capital punishment, outlawed killings in the arenas, reduced (if not completely abolished) many taxes, and even allowed slaves to take cruel masters to court. He took a great interest in the arts, sponsoring many poetry competitions, and strove his hardest for whatever was in the best interests of his people. To call him a great humanitarian would be an under-statement.
As time progressed, Nero revealed his startling ability as an excellent artist. He was hailed all over as the greatest lyre player in the known world, and certainly one of the best singers and actors. He proposed great architectural projects, even suggesting the rebuilding of Rome. Unfortunately, a disgusting cult known as Christians seeked to tarnish the good emperors name, and burnt the city of Rome to the ground after he finished his campaign to rebuild Rome.
Nero was not to be swayed from his righteous course by the actions of an ignorant few though, and set immediately to work fixing the ashen city of Rome, deafening his ears to the accusations that he was guilty of burning Rome. Slowly the lies grew in number and credibility, but all throughout Nero continued to help the people of Rome, no matter how little they appreciated him. Even his wife started to nag him to death, and he was forced to kick her repeatedly until she lay dead with an unborn child in the womb. Nero so loved his people that he killed his wife, she whom he so cared for, so that he may have some peace and quiet to concentrate on what his next move should be if it was to improve the standards of his people.
Eventually the governing body rose up in rebellion against the compassionate and artistic emperor, and he was forced to flee for his life as they issued a warrant for his death. I think it ironic that the Roman government, caught up in the blinding furor of avarice, killed he who had given them so much. They bit the hand that fed them, in the pursuit of more power, in a bout of tyranical, democratic idiocy.
Yes, Nero killed during his reign, but did his victims intend to live forever? Those who died during Nero's watch should be honoured, Nero made them famous. What is life if man is not to achieve great things, and what are greater than the deeds of Nero Claudius Caesar? Truly, Nero said it best on his death bed, with his own knife to his throat, when he spoke the God's honest truth - "Qualis artifex pereo!" - "what an artist dies in me!"
I dedicate this thread to the memory of Nero Claudius Caesar, a man who wished only to serve and be loved by those he so cherished. This world didn't deserve a man so pure, a man so driven by the wish to make everyone happy that he ignored everyone's rampant faults and unworthiness. Nero was one of the worlds first saints, a man the likes of which are so rarely seen on this god-forsaken planet.
:borg:
Next thread I may delve into the brighter side of Idi Amin, the humanitarian side of the Japanese caressing of Nanjing, and maybe the secret side of Stalin as a caring family man. If anyone feels like it, I'd be happy to attend a thread discussing those filthy scumbags, the US founding fathers.
Born in 37 ce, Nero accepted the throne in 54 by virtue of a strong will to improve the Roman man's lot. Early in his reign, Nero was assisted by his Mother and others, but as he grew they became very protective of their fading power, and he had to dispatch many of them. He did this, however, for the stability of the country, and their deaths can be excused by the fact that they were killed to prevent a disastrous power struggle.
Now, as a young Emperor, Nero did an excellent job. Foreign nations loved him, as did his people, as he was a very charitable and polite man, a veritable philanthropist if you will. It is a commonly known fact that Nero once said "oh, I wish I had never learnt to write," due to the fact that he so disliked having to sign criminal's death warrants. Truly, for the first half or so of his reign he was perfect, and didn't make a single wrong move. He even abolished capital punishment, outlawed killings in the arenas, reduced (if not completely abolished) many taxes, and even allowed slaves to take cruel masters to court. He took a great interest in the arts, sponsoring many poetry competitions, and strove his hardest for whatever was in the best interests of his people. To call him a great humanitarian would be an under-statement.
As time progressed, Nero revealed his startling ability as an excellent artist. He was hailed all over as the greatest lyre player in the known world, and certainly one of the best singers and actors. He proposed great architectural projects, even suggesting the rebuilding of Rome. Unfortunately, a disgusting cult known as Christians seeked to tarnish the good emperors name, and burnt the city of Rome to the ground after he finished his campaign to rebuild Rome.
Nero was not to be swayed from his righteous course by the actions of an ignorant few though, and set immediately to work fixing the ashen city of Rome, deafening his ears to the accusations that he was guilty of burning Rome. Slowly the lies grew in number and credibility, but all throughout Nero continued to help the people of Rome, no matter how little they appreciated him. Even his wife started to nag him to death, and he was forced to kick her repeatedly until she lay dead with an unborn child in the womb. Nero so loved his people that he killed his wife, she whom he so cared for, so that he may have some peace and quiet to concentrate on what his next move should be if it was to improve the standards of his people.
Eventually the governing body rose up in rebellion against the compassionate and artistic emperor, and he was forced to flee for his life as they issued a warrant for his death. I think it ironic that the Roman government, caught up in the blinding furor of avarice, killed he who had given them so much. They bit the hand that fed them, in the pursuit of more power, in a bout of tyranical, democratic idiocy.
Yes, Nero killed during his reign, but did his victims intend to live forever? Those who died during Nero's watch should be honoured, Nero made them famous. What is life if man is not to achieve great things, and what are greater than the deeds of Nero Claudius Caesar? Truly, Nero said it best on his death bed, with his own knife to his throat, when he spoke the God's honest truth - "Qualis artifex pereo!" - "what an artist dies in me!"
I dedicate this thread to the memory of Nero Claudius Caesar, a man who wished only to serve and be loved by those he so cherished. This world didn't deserve a man so pure, a man so driven by the wish to make everyone happy that he ignored everyone's rampant faults and unworthiness. Nero was one of the worlds first saints, a man the likes of which are so rarely seen on this god-forsaken planet.
:borg:
Next thread I may delve into the brighter side of Idi Amin, the humanitarian side of the Japanese caressing of Nanjing, and maybe the secret side of Stalin as a caring family man. If anyone feels like it, I'd be happy to attend a thread discussing those filthy scumbags, the US founding fathers.