What was Nero's life before coming an emperor?

Answer 1

Nero went to live at the court of the previous emperor, Claudius, when he was five. He was the son (from a previous marriage) of Agrippina the younger, who became the third wife of Claudius.

All that is known about Nero's early life is that his mother maneuvered to make Nero the next emperor instead of Britannicus, the son of Claudius from his third marriage, who was younger than Nero. Agrippina persuaded Claudius to adopt Nero and set out to isolate Britannicus from his father and from the succession, to pave the way for Nero becoming the next emperor. Claudius then regretted having married Agrippina and adopted Nero. He started to favour Britannicus and to pave the way for him to succeed him. he then died suddenly. There were suspicions that Agrippina murdered him.

Answer 2

Nero was egocentric and eccentric. He fancied himself as a great actor, singer and musician. He acted, sang and payed the lyre in public, which did not make a good impression on the Romans. He spent an enormous amount of money building a palace (the Domus Aurea, Golden House) which was like a mini city. He was generous towards the poor.

There were allegation of promiscuity and debauchery. However, there were many allegation levied against Nero by Roman writers who were aristocrats. Nero was loved by the poor, but hated by the aristocracy. It was also alleged that Nero set fire to Rome and that he enjoyed the spectacle. However, this is untrue.