Through the years, the reign of Nero Caesar Augustus as emperor
of Rome has been seen as the very embodiment of the extravagance,
debauchery and corruption that for many have come to
symbolize ancient Rome.
Whilst it cannot be denied that Nero’s reign saw many excesses
and contained many actions for which there can be no justification,
yet his was a government that was not lacking in achievement.
For one thing, Nero may have been an inadequate ruler, but
for a time, at least, he allowed himself to be guided and assisted
by men of considerable ability. This was especially true of many of
those to whom he committed key provincial appointments; under
the guidance of these, imperial security and prosperity advanced
in most parts of the empire.