Did Nero Commit Suicide?

         According to Epaphroditus, Nero’s secretary, Nero committed suicide (Nero). This is certainly a plausible story. The Praetorian Guard had abandoned him and the army's loyalty was wavering (Nero, Jarus and Gordon). Lucius Verginius Rufus, the governor of Germania Superior, was hailed as a hero after crushing a rebellion (Nero). Finally, the Senate declared him an enemy and sentenced him to be flogged to death (Nero). This would have been a near impossible position and he could have committed suicide. However, he was loved by the common people and could have used their support to retain his power (Chaplin 107-8). 

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         While history tells that Nero committed suicide, it is very possible he could have been assassinated. Many of his predecessors were assassinated and the story of suicide could have been a cover story. Epaphroditus would have been a good candidate because he supposedly helped him commit suicide (Nero). Of course, Epaphroditus could have also been bribed or threatened into saying this. After all, several revolts had already taken place (Nero, Jarus and Gordon).

 

         Nero could also have escaped Rome, as he had planned (Nero). Epaphroditus could have pretended to help him commit suicide to assist in the escape. However, this seems unlikely. While a fake Nero emerged, only rumors of his escape followed his death (Chaplin 108, Yardley and Barrett 448). It is also possible that the fake Nero was actually him but was discredited to prevent the Roman people from supporting him. However, it seems unlikely that the Senate would be fooled with the body of a fake Nero. Furthermore, if Nero had escaped, he would not have lived in hiding. He loved attention as his obsession with theater proved (Champlin 99).