'Seneca wrote a remarkable accession speech, where Nero promised to uproot the corruption that plagued Claudius’ court and return powers to the Senate. (possibly by being poisoned with a mushroom), Nero, with the support of the Praetorian Guard and at the age of 17, became emperor. The newly adopted son would later take the hand of his stepsister, Octavia, in marriage, and become Claudius' heir apparent, the emperor choosing him over his own biological son, Britannicus (who died shortly after Nero became emperor).Īfter the death of Claudius in 54 A.D.

His ambitious mother would go on to marry Claudius (who was also her uncle) in 49 A.D., and she saw to it that he adopted her son, giving him a new name that started with 'Nero.' His tutors included the famous philosopher Seneca, a man who would continue advising Nero into his reign, even writing the proclamation explaining why Nero killed his mother. 41 A.D., and the ascension of Emperor Claudius shortly afterward, mother and son were reunited.

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