Rise of Nero

The Ancients

History Hit

History

4.7 • 3.5K Ratings

🗓️ 22 June 2025

⏱️ 71 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Before he became one of Rome’s most infamous tyrants, Nero was a golden boy - young, talented, and full of promise.

In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by bestselling author Conn Iggulden to explore Nero’s early years, from his powerful mother Agrippina and his philosopher tutor Seneca, to the poisonous politics of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Was Nero always doomed to fall? Or could the seeds of infamy have been planted in his troubled rise to power? Join us to dive into the drama of Rome’s blood-soaked game of succession.

Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, I'm Tristan Hughes, and if you would like the ancient ad-free, get early access and bonus episodes, sign up to History Hit.
0:08.1	With a History Hit subscription, you can also watch hundreds of hours of original documentaries, including my recent documentary all about Petra and the Nabatans, and enjoy a new release every week.
0:19.3	Sign up now by visiting historyhit.com slash subscribe.
0:25.2	Fancy a fever tree and vodka.
0:29.2	Yes, vodka, not gin, because this is fever tree Mexican lime soda.
0:35.2	Yes, soda, not tonic.
0:38.3	With Mexican lime and Japanese yuzu
0:40.4	for a zesty, refreshing lime soda
0:42.6	that's just sweet enough.
0:45.0	Delicious with vodka,
0:46.6	or on its own.
0:48.5	Vivertree Mexican lime soda,
0:50.9	mix with the best.
0:53.0	Hmm, now that hits the spot.
0:58.0	Hey everyone, another ancient episode for you today on the Rise of Nero.
1:03.9	Nero, of course, one of the most infamous names from ancient history today.
1:09.2	But it's pouring the rise really wanted to do this because it
1:11.7	feels lesser talked about than the big events of Nero's reigns such as the Great Fire of Rome
1:17.1	or the persecution of Christian. So it will be interesting to hear in the comments whether your
1:24.5	thoughts about Nero have changed at all after listening to the story of his
1:29.8	earlier years. Now, our guest today, very excited about this one, is the acclaimed historical
1:35.6	fiction author Con Iggledon. Now, we were very excited to get Conn on. I've been reading his books
	...

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