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The John Batchelor Show

S8 Ep626: 3. The debate shifts to the historical Nero, examining his legacy as both a builder and a man tormented by violent mistakes, including the murder of his mother. Germanicus notes that modern perceptions of Nero are often filtered through Victorian sentimen

The John Batchelor Show

John Batchelor

News, Arts, Books, Society & Culture

4.52.8K Ratings

🗓️ 23 March 2026

⏱️ 14 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

  3. The debate shifts to the historical Nero, examining his legacy as both a builder and a man tormented by violent mistakes, including the murder of his mother. Germanicus notes that modern perceptions of Nero are often filtered through Victorian sentimentality or biased historical accounts. They compare contemporary leadership to a generational decline in Rome, moving from the magisterial balance of Augustus to progressively "weak" subsequent cohorts. Germanicus observes that the current emperor is too restless for the meditation required of a leader, which is visibly wearing him down. The speakers anticipate a period of chaos and renewal in America, similar to Rome’s transition to the Flavian dynasty after Nero’s suicide. The session concludes with a play about Xerxes' defeat, suggesting a similar "messenger of defeat" is currently heading toward Washington to report the failing war effort. (3)
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0:34.4

with Indeed. I am guys. Jamadicusicus is here we turned to some of the details of

0:41.5

nero claudius caesar augustus germanicus otherwise known as nero born 37 ad died 68 ad by his own hand

0:52.3

the last of the Julian Claudians.

0:55.6

Much mocked because he had a strange affinity for the stage, though I'm told by classicists

1:05.6

that the way his performances were written up suggests that everybody rolled their eyes and applauded.

1:13.9

However, he's also known as having Fiddled Wob Rome burned.

1:19.3

That's not of interest here.

1:20.8

That's a legend.

1:23.2

What's of interest here is that there's a painting made in the 19th century of Nero missing his mother, whom he ordered murdered.

1:33.9

He also misses his counselor, Seneca, whom he ordered murdered.

1:38.6

There is the story that he murdered his wife.

1:41.6

Probably not.

1:42.4

She probably died in childbirth.

1:45.5

But in any event, he exited as a man who was persecuted by his doubts.

1:54.8

That's why, staring in the distance, missing his mother.

1:58.6

And that gave him some purchase to the classicist

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