Hunger for the Limelight Backfired on This Emperor
Nero further infuriated Rome’s elites when he forced them to participate in his spectacles. In his long poetry recitals and musical concerts, many audience members were bored and annoyed to distraction. So much so, that some men faked heart attacks or even death to get taken out, and women faked labor to leave. Such spectacles diminished Nero’s prestige, and increased the disdain with which he was increasingly viewed. By 68 AD, discontent reached the breaking point, and various generals and provincial governors rebelled. In Rome, the Senate officially declared Nero a public enemy, and his Praetorian Guard abandoned him. Fleeing Rome, Nero toyed with impractical ideas, such as throwing himself upon the mercy of the public to beg its forgiveness.
He wanted to play them the lyre so as to “soften their hearts”, and be allowed to retire to a province which he could govern. He composed a speech to that effect, but desisted when informed that he would probably be torn apart by a mob if he was sighted in public. While mulling alternatives, news came that he had been declared a public enemy by the Senate, had been sentenced to be beaten to death publicly, and that soldiers were en route to arrest and take him to the site of execution. With all options closed, Nero decided to end his life. He couldn’t do it himself, so he had a freedman stab him with a sword. His last words were: “Oh, what an artist dies in me!“
