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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;svessien, post: 4500555, member: 15481&quot;]I find it interesting that some of the conventional ideas of Nero are challenged here, but as I have read from quite a lof of sources, perhaps based on the same original material, that he killed thousands of Christians and killed Poppaea, it would be nice to see reference to the sources that say he didn’t.</p><p><br /></p><p>My impression is that Nero had a degree of malign narcissism, through the traditional portrait of him, but you could say that about several world leaders, both then and now. I’m thinking about the need for attention, the increasingly extreme sexual behaviour, the apparent lack of empathy, etc.</p><p><br /></p><p>It is hard to answer «how bad» he actually was, in an ancient world where you would easily find those who are worse. You can’t expect people to have strong humanist values, in a world where humanism wasn’t invented yet. Where is the baseline for «bad»?</p><p><br /></p><p>I think we can look to the Roman virtues to see what was considered «good». Do we see emperor Nero having many of these traits? It doesn’t look like it to me, but I’m open to new knowledge (again, please, the reference). My belief is that Nero was bad, in light of the values in our world, and the values in his world:</p><p><br /></p><p><font size="5"><b>Personal Virtues </b></font></p><p>These are the qualities of life to which every citizen should aspire. They are the heart of the Via Romana--the Roman Way--and are thought to be those qualities which gave the Roman Republic the moral strength to conquer and civilize the world:</p><ul> <li>Auctoritas--&quot;Spiritual Authority&quot;: The sense of one&#039;s social standing, built up through experience, Pietas, and Industria. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Comitas--&quot;Humor&quot;: Ease of manner, courtesy, openness, and friendliness. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Clementia--&quot;Mercy&quot;: Mildness and gentleness. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Dignitas--&quot;Dignity&quot;: A sense of self-worth, personal pride. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Firmitas--&quot;Tenacity&quot;: Strength of mind, the ability to stick to one&#039;s purpose. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Frugalitas--&quot;Frugalness&quot;: Economy and simplicity of style, without being miserly. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Gravitas--&quot;Gravity&quot;: A sense of the importance of the matter at hand, responsibility and earnestness. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Honestas--&quot;Respectibility&quot;: The image that one presents as a respectable member of society. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Humanitas--&quot;Humanity&quot;: Refinement, civilization, learning, and being cultured. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Industria--&quot;Industriousness&quot;: Hard work. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Pietas--&quot;Dutifulness&quot;: More than religious piety; a respect for the natural order socially, politically, and religiously. Includes the ideas of patriotism and devotion to others. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Prudentia--&quot;Prudence&quot;: Foresight, wisdom, and personal discretion. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Salubritas--&quot;Wholesomeness&quot;: Health and cleanliness. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Severitas--&quot;Sternness&quot;: Gravity, self-control. <br /> <br /> <br /> </li> <li>Veritas--&quot;Truthfulness&quot;: Honesty in dealing with others.</li> </ul><p>[ATTACH=full]1116115[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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