Preface to Second Paperback Edition I Introduction 2 The Making of a Princeps PART I NERO'S PRINCIPATE 3 The New Ruler 4 The Golden Age 5 Partners in Power 6 The Turning Point 7 The Descent into Tyranny 8 The Tyranny of Art I 9 The Artistic Tyrant 10 'What an Artist Dies with Me' PART II POST-MORTEM ON THE FALL OF NERO II Why Did It Happen? I2 The Problem of the Succession 13 The Problem of Finance I4 The Temptation of Philhellenism I 5 The Military Image of the Princeps

Nero's personality and crimes have always intrigued historians and writers of fiction. However, his reign also illuminates the nature of the Julio-Claudian Principate. Nero's suicide brought to an end the dynasty Augustus had founded, and placed in jeopardy the political system he had devised.
Miriam T. Griffin's authoratitive survey of Nero's reign incorporates both a chronological account, as well as an analysis of the reasons for Nero's collapse under the pressure of his role as emperor.