Nero was the ruthless ruler who "fiddled while Rome burned"—or was he? The fifth Roman emperor’s reputation is unsavory at best. However, in this detailed biography, Nero’s reign is thoroughly examined, casting doubt on some of the criticisms of the leader. Readers will be fascinated by the machinations of the royal Roman household that led to the rise and fall of the famous emperor. The carefully selected photographs reveal artwork and artifacts of the time period, while sidebars and fact boxes bring more valuable information about ancient Roman culture to light.