Nero Becomes Emperor

When Claudius dies (likely poisoned by his wife Agrippina), her son Nero becomes emperor at just sixteen years old. His early reign under the guidance of Seneca and Burrus is considered competent, even promising. But Nero's later years bring tyranny, persecution of Christians, and the catastrophic Great Fire of Rome. Paul appeals to Nero's court in Acts 25, and tradition holds that both Paul and Peter die under Nero's persecution.