called the AQUA CLAUDIA, the ruined arches of which can be seen to
this day. He also reclaimed for agriculture a large tract of land by
draining the Fucine Lake.


NERO (54-68).

NERO was but sixteen years old when he began to reign. For two or
three years he was under the influence of his tutor, SENECA, the
author, and BURRHUS, the Praefect of the Praetorian Guard, and his
government was during this period the most respectable of any since
the time of Augustus. His masters kept the young Emperor amused, and
removed from the cares of state. But he soon became infatuated with an
unscrupulous woman, POPPAEA SABÍNA, for whom he neglected and finally
killed his wife, Octavia.

It would be useless to follow in detail the crimes of Nero from this
time. A freedman, TIGELLÍNUS, became his adviser, and was the real
ruler of the Empire. He encouraged his master in all his vices and
wickedness. Poppaea died from a kick administered by Nero in anger;
Burrhus was disposed of; Agrippína, and Britannicus, the true heir to
the throne, were murdered. The wealthy were plundered, and the
feelings of his subjects outraged in every conceivable manner. The
Emperor appeared in public, contending first as a musician, and
afterwards in the sports of the circus.

The great fire of 18 July, 64, which destroyed a large part of the
city, was ascribed to him, but without sufficient evidence; and the
stories of his conduct during the conflagration are doubtless pure
fictions. It was necessary, however, to fix the guilt on some one; so