The ancient world, from the earliest times to 800 AD . ped up huge fortunes for themselves, but who werecapable administrators. Claudius himself gave his timefaithfully to the hard work of governing, with fairly goodresults. His reign is famous for a g7eat extension of citizen-ship to provincials and for legislation to protect slaves againstcruel masters.^ The Roman conquest of southern Britain tookplace in this reign (§ 606).^ 679. Nero (54-68), Claudius stepson, became emperor asa likeable boy of sixteen. He had been trained by the philoso-pher Seneca (§ 627), and for twothirds of his reign
The ancient world, from the earliest times to 800 AD . ped up huge fortunes for themselves, but who werecapable administrators. Claudius himself gave his timefaithfully to the hard work of governing, with fairly goodresults. His reign is famous for a g7eat extension of citizen-ship to provincials and for legislation to protect slaves againstcruel masters.^ The Roman conquest of southern Britain tookplace in this reign (§ 606).^ 679. Nero (54-68), Claudius stepson, became emperor asa likeable boy of sixteen. He had been trained by the philoso-pher Seneca (§ 627), and for twothirds of his reign he was ruled bythis great thinker and by other wiseministers. The young emperor caredlittle for affairs of government, butwas fond of art, and ridiculouslyvain of his skill in music and some years his fears, togetherwith a total lack of principle, ledhim to crime and tyranny. He poi-soned his half-brother, and had hisambitious mother nobles were put to deathin numbers, and their property confiscated, Seneca himself be-. Bronze Coin of Nero — tocommemorate the closing ofthe doors of the Temple ofJanus (cf. § 568). 1 Mmiro, Source Book, 187. 2 Special report. 470 THE ROMAN EMPIRE [§579 ing among the victims. Like Caligula, Nero entered the listsas a gladiator, and he sought popular applause also for hismusic and dancing. During this reign, half of Rome was laid in ashes by theGreat Fire.^ For six days and nights the flames raged unchecked, surging inbillows over the slopesand through the valleysof the Seven Hills. Bysome, Nero was believedto have ordered the de-struction, in order thathe might rebuild in moremagnificent fashion. Onbetter authority he wasreported to have enjoyedthe spectacle from theroof of his palace, withmusic and dancing, sing-ing meanwhile a poemhe had composed on the^ Burning of new sect of Chris-tians also were accused of starting the fire, out of their sup-posed hatred for the human race. To many, some colorwas g
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