Birth of Nero
Nero is born at Antium on December 15, 37, as Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus.
Role range: 0054-0068
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Nero Claudius Nero Biography and Timeline
Follow Nero Claudius Nero through 44 dated historical records for Roman Empire.
Nero Claudius Nero, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
44Distinct records
1 of 2Page
37–67Years on this page
37
40
Death of Father
Nero's father, Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus, dies when Nero is still a young child.
Role range: 0054-0068
41
Agrippina Returns from Exile
After Caligula's death, Nero's mother Agrippina returns from exile and resumes control of her son's upbringing.
Role range: 0054-0068
49
Seneca Becomes Tutor
Seneca is recalled from exile and becomes one of Nero's principal tutors and advisers.
Role range: 0054-0068
50
Adoption of Nero
Claudius adopts Nero in 50, giving him a position ahead of the younger Britannicus in the imperial succession.
Role range: 0054-0068
Name Changed after Adoption
After adoption by Claudius, Nero takes an imperial Claudian name and becomes a formal member of the emperor's household.
Role range: 0054-0068
51
Address to the Senate
Nero addresses the Senate while still a teenager, demonstrating the public role prepared for him under Claudius.
Role range: 0054-0068
Princeps Iuventutis
Nero receives the title princeps iuventutis as part of his public promotion as the expected successor.
Role range: 0054-0068
Toga Virilis
Nero receives the toga virilis early and is publicly promoted as Claudius's intended successor.
Role range: 0054-0068
53
Marriage to Octavia
Nero marries Claudius's daughter Octavia in 53, strengthening his dynastic position.
Role range: 0054-0068
54
Praetorian Acclamation
The Praetorian Guard acclaims Nero emperor after the death of Claudius.
Role range: 0054-0068
Succession
Nero succeeds Claudius as Roman emperor on October 13, 54.
Role range: 0054-0068
Claudius Deified
Nero supports the deification of Claudius at the beginning of his reign.
Role range: 0054-0068
Death of Claudius
Claudius dies in 54, and Nero's carefully prepared succession follows immediately.
Role range: 0054-0068
Seneca and Burrus Advise Government
Seneca and the praetorian prefect Burrus exercise major influence over imperial policy during the early years of Nero's reign.
Role range: 0054-0068
55
Death of Britannicus
Britannicus dies suddenly in 55; ancient sources accuse Nero of arranging his poisoning to remove a potential rival.
Role range: 0054-0068
First Consulship
Nero serves as consul during the early part of his reign.
Role range: 0054-0068
56
Armenian Policy
Nero's government confronts a prolonged struggle with Parthia over influence and succession in Armenia.
Role range: 0054-0068
58
Corbulo Campaign in Armenia
Nero's government entrusts Corbulo with major military operations intended to restore Roman influence in Armenia.
Role range: 0054-0068
59
Death of Agrippina
Nero orders the killing of his mother Agrippina in 59 after their political relationship deteriorates.
Role range: 0054-0068
60
Boudican Revolt
Nero's government confronts the major uprising led by Boudica in Roman Britain.
Role range: 0054-0068
Neronian Games
Nero establishes the Neronia, Greek-style games featuring athletic, musical, and literary competitions.
Role range: 0054-0068
61
Roman Recovery in Britain
Roman forces suppress Boudica's revolt and restore imperial control in the affected provinces of Britain.
Role range: 0054-0068
Rule of Armenia
Nero's government installs Tigranes VI as a Roman-backed king of Armenia during the continuing conflict with Parthia.
Role range: 0054-0068
62
Death of Octavia
Octavia, Nero's former wife, is executed in 62 after being divorced and exiled.
Role range: 0054-0068
Divorce of Octavia
Nero divorces Octavia in 62 and soon marries Poppaea Sabina.
Role range: 0054-0068
Marriage to Poppaea Sabina
Nero marries Poppaea Sabina after divorcing Octavia in 62.
Role range: 0054-0068
64
Great Fire of Rome
The Great Fire of Rome begins on July 18, 64, and devastates much of the city.
Role range: 0054-0068
Christian Persecution
After the Great Fire of Rome, Nero's government persecutes Christians and uses them as scapegoats for the disaster.
Role range: 0054-0068
Domus Aurea
Nero begins construction of the Domus Aurea after the Great Fire reshapes large areas of central Rome.
Role range: 0054-0068
Emergency Relief after Fire
Nero opens public spaces and arranges emergency supplies for people displaced by the Great Fire of Rome.
Role range: 0054-0068
Post-Fire Building Regulations
After the Great Fire, Nero introduces rebuilding rules intended to reduce fire risk through wider streets, porticoes, and safer construction.
Role range: 0054-0068
65
Death of Poppaea Sabina
Poppaea Sabina dies in 65; hostile ancient sources accuse Nero of causing her death, but the circumstances remain uncertain.
Role range: 0054-0068
Pisonian Conspiracy
Nero's government uncovers the Pisonian conspiracy in 65 and executes or forces the suicide of numerous alleged participants.
Role range: 0054-0068
Second Neronia
A second celebration of Nero's Greek-style festival competitions takes place during his reign.
Role range: 0054-0068
66
Tiridates Crowned King of Armenia
Nero ceremonially crowns Tiridates I as king of Armenia in Rome in 66, confirming the settlement with Parthia.
Role range: 0054-0068
Tour of Greece Begins
Nero begins an extended tour of Greece devoted heavily to athletic, musical, and theatrical competitions.
Role range: 0054-0068
67
Corinth Canal
Nero begins an attempt to cut a canal through the Isthmus of Corinth during his tour of Greece.
Role range: 0054-0068
Execution of Corbulo
Nero orders the distinguished general Corbulo to commit suicide in 67.
Role range: 0054-0068
Execution of Paul
Christian tradition places the execution of the apostle Paul at Rome during Nero's reign, although the precise date is uncertain.
Role range: 0054-0068
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.