Conspiracy Theories My Roman Empire: The Death of Nero
Dec 3, 2025
Dive into the dramatic saga of Emperor Nero, who is rumored to have fiddled while Rome burned. Explore allegations of treachery, including matricide and spousal murders, and the fraught political landscape leading to his downfall. Uncover conspiracy theories suggesting he was assassinated rather than dying by suicide. The podcast also delves into the mysterious rumors of his survival and connections to early Christian lore. Who really had the motive to take down one of history's most infamous rulers?
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Nero's Final Hiding And Death
- Nero fled to a friend's house with his secretary Epaphroditus as the Senate declared him an enemy of the state.
- Cornered by the Praetorian Guard, Nero ordered Epaphroditus to stab him and reportedly died by suicide.
Victors Shaped Nero's Legacy
- Most surviving accounts of Nero were written decades after his death by writers allied with the Flavian dynasty.
- This timing raises suspicion that Nero's image and death story were shaped by a victorious regime's propaganda.
The Failed Piso Conspiracy
- The Piso conspiracy plotted multiple assassination attempts including palace arson and a murder at the Circus Maximus.
- The plot unraveled when servants reported conspirators, leading to arrests, torture, executions, and suicides.
