Nero, Claudius

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church | 2000 | 700+ words | Copyright

Nero, Claudius (37–68), Roman Emperor from 54. Proclaimed Emperor at the age of 16, he at first ruled relatively well under the guidance of Seneca and the Praetorian Prefect Burrus, but he soon scandalized public opinion. There were rebellions in Judaea and elsewhere; the armies deserted him and he committed suicide.

Many believed that Nero caused the fire which burnt much of Rome in 64; to divert his unpopularity on this score he punished the Christians as scapegoats (see PERSECUTIONS, EARLY CHRISTIAN). He was the Caesar to whom St Paul appealed; it is unlikely that he personally heard the case, but according to a substantial tradition both St Peter and Paul were executed in his reign. See also NUMBER OF THE BEAST.

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E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Nero, Claudius." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Nero, Claudius." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-NeroClaudius.html

E. A. LIVINGSTONE. "Nero, Claudius." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 2000. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O95-NeroClaudius.html

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