Another Renaissance: Neronian Culture (handout)

Nero seems to have encouraged innovative art and architecture (including his own extravagant houses), and to have fostered literary achievement. But his 'Golden House' in particular proved unpopular, as it dominated Rome and gave rise to the rumour that Nero himself started the fire of 64 CE so that he could rebuild the city (and then blamed the Christians). Meanwhile the significant literary figures of his reign (Seneca, Lucan and Petronius), who were also members of Nero's imperial court, all fell from grace spectacularly and were forced to suicide. This lecture explores Neronian culture and the key elements of its artistic and literary output. Copyright 2013 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.