Nero was a colorful character, to say the least. He was known for his love of the arts, but also for his cruelty and extravagant lifestyle. He had a grand vision for Rome, which included the construction of a magnificent palace known as the Domus Aurea, or the Golden House.
The Domus Aurea was a sprawling complex, boasting over 300 rooms adorned with lavish decorations, intricate frescoes, and lavish gardens. The centerpiece of the palace was a massive statue of Nero himself, standing at over 100 feet tall.
But here's where the story gets interesting: to make room for his grand palace, Nero had to clear a large area of the city. And what better way to do that than by starting a fire?
Legend has it that Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, though this is likely a myth. However, Nero did take advantage of the destruction to build his dream palace. The Roman people were not amused, and Nero's popularity plummeted.
Eventually, Nero's excesses caught up with him. He was forced to flee Rome and took his own life in 68 AD. The Domus Aurea was stripped of its valuables and filled with earth to make way for new construction.
Today, the remains of the Domus Aurea can still be seen in Rome, offering a fascinating glimpse into the extravagant world of Emperor Nero and the history of the Roman Empire.
Tiberius, the second Roman Emperor, was a fascinating figure who ruled from 14 to 37 AD. Born in 42 BC, he was the son of Tiberius Claudius Nero and Livia Drusilla, and the stepson of Emperor Augustus.
Tiberius had a successful military career, playing a crucial role in the expansion of the Roman Empire. He was a skilled general who conquered Pannonia, Dalmatia, Raetia, and parts of Germania. However, his reign as Emperor was marked by a decline in expansionist policies and a focus on consolidation.
Tiberius's personal life was tumultuous. He was married to Vipsania Agrippina, but was forced to divorce her to marry Augustus's daughter Julia. This unhappy marriage led to Tiberius's self-imposed exile on the island of Capri, where he became increasingly reclusive.
Tiberius's reign was also marked by political intrigue and the rise of the Praetorian Guard, led by the ambitious Sejanus. Sejanus's growing influence and power eventually led to his downfall, as Tiberius had him executed for treason.
In summary, Tiberius's life was filled with military conquests, political intrigue, and personal turmoil. His reign as Emperor saw the consolidation of the Roman Empire, but his reclusive nature and the machinations of those around him left a mixed legacy.
Caligula, the third Roman Emperor, was certainly an interesting character. Born in 12 AD, he ruled from 37 to 41 AD and was known for his eccentric behavior, cruelty, and extravagance.
Caligula's reign started off well, with him being quite popular among the people. He abolished some unpopular taxes and even built a floating bridge across the Bay of Naples. However, things took a turn for the worse when he became ill in 38 AD. After recovering, he was said to have developed a taste for cruelty and a rather large ego.
Some of Caligula's more infamous moments include declaring himself a god, making his horse a member of the Roman Senate, and even having his own sister's lover killed. He was eventually assassinated by members of the Praetorian Guard, ending his four-year reign.
In conclusion, Caligula's story is a wild ride of power, madness, and excess. It's no wonder he's still a fascinating figure in history.
Caesar Augustus Reign: 27 BC to 14 AD
Octavian, also known as Augustus, was the first Roman Emperor and played a crucial role in the transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire. He was born in 63 BC and was the adopted son of Julius Caesar. After Caesar's assassination, Octavian formed a triumvirate with Mark Antony and Lepidus, and eventually emerged as the sole ruler of Rome.
As emperor, Octavian initiated many reforms to strengthen the empire, including improving the infrastructure, expanding the military, and establishing a civil service. He also promoted the arts and literature, and his reign is often referred to as the Pax Romana, or Roman Peace, due to the relative stability and prosperity of the time. Octavian ruled for 41 years until his death in 14 AD, and his legacy as the founder of the Roman Empire endures to this day.
Marcus Vispanius Agrippa was a Roman general and statesman who played a crucial role in the rise of the Roman Empire. Born in 63 BC, he was a close friend and brother-in-law of the emperor Augustus, and is known for his military prowess, architectural achievements, and administrative skills.
Agrippa's military career began when he fought alongside Augustus and Mark Antony in the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. Later, he led campaigns against Sextus Pompey and the Aquitanians, and played a key role in the defeat of Mark Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC.
As an architect and engineer, Agrippa left a lasting impact on the city of Rome. He is credited with constructing the original Pantheon, as well as the Aqua Julia and Aqua Virgo aqueducts. He also built baths, porticoes, and gardens, and was responsible for the development of the Campus Martius, a large public space in Rome.
Agrippa was also a skilled administrator, serving as aedile and later consul. In these roles, he oversaw the maintenance of public buildings, the organization of games and festivals, and the improvement of Rome's infrastructure.
In summary, Marcus Vispanius Agrippa was a multifaceted figure who played a significant role in the early years of the Roman Empire. His military, architectural, and administrative achievements helped to shape the course of Roman history.
395
395 was a turning point in Western civilization.
The permanent division of the Roman Empire did bring catastrophe and decay, as did it lead to a permanent fracture in the unity of Western civilization; a split that has not been rectified.
But it also allowed for something beautiful to flourish in Western Europe in the centuries that followed. Many great works of culture and art were made in the Medieval period.
But the time for division has passed. With the end of the old, European dominated, world order comes the looming threats of erasure and decay.
With demographic and cultural replacement creeping in our homelands, the only way forward is unity. We must throw all divisions and all tribalism aside.
We must fix the 395 divide and unite as one people under one glorious banner again.
Our long term goal must be to foster the creation of a pan-Western Empire to ensure the survival of our people and the inheritance of our history.
It could take centuries, but the work begins now. Caesar is calling us. He’s calling for us to come home.
395
395 was a turning point in Western civilization.
The permanent division of the Roman Empire did bring catastrophe and decay, as did it lead to a permanent fracture in the unity of Western civilization; a split that has not been rectified.
But it also allowed for something beautiful to flourish in Western Europe in the centuries that followed. Many great works of culture and art were made in the Medieval period.
But the time for division has passed. With the end of the old, European dominated, world order comes the looming threats of erasure and decay.
With demographic and cultural replacement creeping in our homelands, the only way forward is unity. We must throw all divisions and all tribalism aside.
We must fix the 395 divide and unite as one people under one glorious banner again.
Our long term goal must be to foster the creation of a pan-Western Empire to ensure the survival of our people and the inheritance of our history.
It could take centuries, but the work begins now. Caesar is calling us. He’s calling for us to come home.
Beware the Ides of March
The assassination of Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 B.C., is one of the most famous events in Western history, altering the destiny of Rome forever and inspiring countless works of art depicting the assassination. One of these works is the play Julius Caesar by Shakespeare, which covers the lead up to Caesar’s assassination as well as the aftermath.
In the play, Julius Caesar, unaware of the conspiracy against him, is warned by a soothsayer about his future. The soothsayer said to Caesar: “Beware the Ides of March” but Caesar did not treat the warning with any urgency. When March 15 came and Caesar was still alive, he had another encounter with the soothsayer, to whom he said: “The Ides of March are come.” But the Soothsayer said back: “Aye, Caesar, but not gone.” Later that day, Julius Caesar would be assassinated by the conspirators, as twilight fell on the era of the Roman Republic.
