Meaning of NERO

Fifth emperor of Rome (Acts 25:12; 26:32; Phil. 4:22). Adopted son of Claudius, he acceded to the throne by having his half-brother Britannicus poisoned.

Nero was a man who at the beginning of his reign presented himself in a moderate and prudent manner, but who later revealed a bloodthirsty and cruel character.

In the tenth year of his reign, A.D. 64, the great fire of Rome broke out, almost completely destroying three of the fourteen districts of the city; The emperor was accused of being the one who had given the order to start the fire.

To apologize, Nero accused the Christians, condemning a large number of them to atrocious torture. Tradition indicates that Paul and Peter were among the martyrs. Nero is the "lion" of 2 Tim. 4:17.

Abandoned by his troops and knowing he was lost, he tried to commit suicide, but, unable to do so, he asked one of his defenders to finish him off. Nero died in A.D. 68, in the fourteenth year of his reign, and thirty-two years of age.