Did Nero Commit Suicide?

         How did a man who ruled an empire over two million square miles meet his end? Before the time of Nero’s death, revolts were spreading throughout the Roman Empire. In addition, the army named a new emperor and the Senate decided to whip Nero to death (Nero). Both the Praetorian Guard and freemen abandoned Nero and he was forced to escape (Nero). According to Suetonius, a Roman historian, Nero committed suicide with a dagger (Nero). Tacitus, a Roman historian, orator, and government official, claimed that Nero escaped to Greece (Owen and Jarus 1). So what happened:

1. Did Nero commit suicide?

2. Did someone murder Nero?

3. Did Nero flee to a Grecian isle?

         It is impossible to know the truth for certain, however, looking at the history of Nero and the legitimacy of the historian Suetonius could give us an idea of what occurred 2,000 years ago (Nero).