Mad Kings and Queens: Raving Royals and How to Survive Them. -- Wednesday, May 14th, 2nd Period

[atreideslioness]

As people entered today, they might notice the desk were missing.  Instead, it was outfitted with a wide variety of Roman couches and pillows strewn about the room.  There were also a number of wine jugs and goblets filled with various moddable non-alcoholic beverages.  Ghanima was perched on a lectus, a goblet of spiced coffee in her hand as she browsed her notes. 

Once everyone had found a spot, she looked up and smiled.  "Good morning, class.  As a fine example of a mad royal, I lied to you last week.  The syllabus is not ready today due to RL moving smacking the mun upside the head.  However, since we have just left the waters of Italy, I felt today would be an excellent time to discuss Nero, a Roman emperor who is famous for reputedly laughing and singing as his city burned."

"Nero became emperor at sixteen, the youngest Emperor up until that time," she said, sipping her drink.  "Ancient historians describe Nero's early reign as being strongly influenced by his mother Agrippina, his tutor Lucius Annaeus Seneca, and the Praetorian Prefect Sextus Afranius Burrus, especially in the first years of his rule, which were known as examples of fine administration. The matters of the Empire were handled effectively and the Senate enjoyed a period of renewed influence in state affairs." 

"Over time, Nero became progressively more powerful, freeing himself of his advisers and eliminating rivals to the throne. In 55, he removed Marcus Antonius Pallas, an ally of Agrippina, from his position in the treasury.  Pallas, along with Burrus, was accused of conspiring against the emperor to bring Faustus Sulla to the throne.  Seneca was accused of having relations with Agrippina and embezzlement.  Seneca was able to get himself, Pallas and Burrus acquitted.  According to Cassius Dio, at this time, Seneca and Burrus reduced their role in governing from careful management to mere moderation of Nero."  Ghanima smiled thinly.  "Perhaps they valued their heads more than their power.  In any rate, tensions began to mount between Nero and the Senate." 

"In 58, Nero became romantically involved with Poppaea Sabina, the wife of his friend and future emperor Otho.  His wife, Octavia, who happened to be his step-sister -" Ghanima paused and grinned "-add another monarch to the list of dubious marriages - and mother were not amused, and Agrippina tried to reign in her son.  According to Suetonius, Nero angrily responded with various attempts on his mother's life, three of which were by poison and one by rigging the ceiling over her bed to collapse while she would lay in bed. When those failed, a collapsible boat was built, which was meant to sink in the Bay of Naples. But the plot only succeeded in sinking the boat, as Agrippina managed to swim ashore. Exasperated, Nero sent an assassin who clubbed and stabbed her to death and framed it as a suicide.  At the very least, we must give him points for creativity."

"Octavia also felt Nero's wrath, when he divorced her and then had her executed on a trumped-up charge of adultery to make way for Poppaea Sabina, whom he married.  Unfortunately, Poppaea would also meet her end at the hands of Nero, when he kicked her to death one night after being out late at the horse races.  She was seven months pregnant at the time."

"Now, Nero began his reign by promising the Senate more autonomy.  Nero was known for being hands-off and spending his time visiting brothels and taverns during this period, which suited everyone just fine."  Ghanima smiled and stood up, moving to begin writing on the wipeboard.  "In 55, Nero began taking on a more active role as an administrator. He was consul four times between 55 and 60. During this period, some ancient historians speak fairly well of Nero and contrast it with his later rule.  It is generally agreed that during this time, he was realively sane." 

"Nero was also an avid lover of arts and entertainment, as evidenced by his patronage of theatre and the arena. He built a number of gymnasiums and theaters, and enormous gladiatorial shows were held.  Nero also established the quinquennial Neronia.  The festival included games, poetry and theater. Historians indicate that there was a belief in the Senate that theater was for the lower-class and led to immorality and laziness, and some questioned the large public expenditure on entertainment," Ghanima said, smiling.  "I'm sure Nero's habit of large orgies, daliences with actors, and his frequent appreances on-stage had nothing to do with their reluctance to fund his hobbies.  Really." 

"By June of 68 the senate voted Galba the emperor and declared Nero a public enemy.  The Praetorian Guard was bribed to betray Nero by the praetorian prefect, Nymphidius Sabinus, who desired to become emperor himself.  According to Suetonius, Nero fled Rome on the Salaria road.  His supporters urged him to flee to the East, where he was still universally popular, but he prepared himself for suicide.  Reportedly, the praetorian guard entered to capture Nero just as he stabbed himself." 

"With his death, the Julio-Claudian dynasty came to an end, and chaos ensued in the Year of the Four Emperors." 

Ghanima turned back to the class, tapping her marker against the board.  "Many of the surviving sources paint Nero as insane. It is not known whether they are speaking figuratively or literally, given the political climate.  It was not uncommon for 'madness' or 'depravity' to be used as political weapons, even then.  Recent scholars are divided in attempting to ascribe a medical reason for Nero's behavior, citing as possibilities encephalitis, epilepsy or meningitis, especially considering his family history of madness, and the fact that his brutality and erratic behaviour increased as he aged.  The question of whether or not Nero was truly insane, however, remains unanswered." 

"Now, I'd like us to discuss a few different things; do you believe that Nero was mad, or merely slandered by unhappy rivals?  If he was insane, what do we think caused it?"

"Miss Liddell, Miss Levine, and Reno, may I see all of you when class is done?"

[OOC:  Please wait for the OCD done.  Enjoy!  Availability for the teacher will vary today, but hit me on aim if you need me to tag in somewhere.  See store for details.]

Comments

Sign-In

[atreideslioness]

Like you're on fire!

Re: Sign-In

[raspberryturk]

Reno

During the Lecture

[atreideslioness]

Take notes, pass notes, gape, wonder how the hell she knows these things...

Re: During the Lecture

[raspberryturk]

Heeeey, goblets. Fancy way to drink what was-- disappointingly not alcoholic.

Reno didn't pout too much at that realization. But heck, refreshments were refreshments, sure.

Re: During the Lecture

[minnesota-teen.livejournal.com]

Amber took very detailed notes while she listened intently.

Re: During the Lecture

[ella-obeys.livejournal.com]

Ella scribbled notes quickly, fascinated by the class. It sounded as though Roman history was much more interesting than the Kyrrian version.

Re: During the Lecture

[senor-chado.livejournal.com]

Chad started taking notes in English, but quickly switched over to Japanese, because he could write faster that way. There was....a lot of information here...

Re: During the Lecture

[solo_sword]

Jaina wasn't a notetaker, and she wasn't much for history. But she had to admit this class definitely held her attention, because wow.

Re: During the Lecture

[notyourpawn.livejournal.com]

Alice was furiously scribbling notes. This history class was far more interesting than anything her governess had told her. More accurate to what she knew of people, as well.

Re: During the Lecture

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah was taking notes on the discussion.

Re: During the Lecture

[harrydresden.livejournal.com]

Harry wasn't a huge fan of ancient Rome, because Romans spoke Latin and Harry hated Latin. A lot. He was still taking notes though.

Re: During the Lecture

[blackmagic-eve.livejournal.com]

Overachiever, ahoy! Eve had waaaay too many notes.

Class Discussion: Madness or Mere Depravity?

[atreideslioness]

"Keep in mind that many surviving sources are written by Nero's enemies," Ghanima said. "Nero was very very popular with the underclasses, which cost him dearly in the political arena. Roman senators began to resent the fact that he seemed to view slaves and freedmen as having rights and self-hood. Under Nero, restrictions were put on the amount of bail and fines. There was a discussion in the Senate on the misconduct of the freedmen class, and a strong demand was made that patrons should have the right of revoking freedom. Nero also supported the freedmen and ruled that patrons had no such right. The Senate tried to pass a law in which the crimes of one slave applied to all slaves within a household. Nero vetoed the measure. Additionally, there were many impeachments and removals of government officials along with arrests for extortion and corruption."

"While none of this excuses his taste for executions, extravagant orgies, or his love of gambling, you must remember that none of those were considered out-of-the-ordinary in Rome. In character, Nero was a strange mix of paradoxes; artistic, sporting, brutal, weak, sensual, well-spoken, extremely intelligent, erratic, extravagant, sadistic, and likely bisexual. Ask yourselves, how much of what we know about Nero is political propaganda, and how much might be actual insanity?"

Re: Class Discussion: Madness or Mere Depravity?

[raspberryturk]

"When it comes to politics, it's usually all propaganda," Reno mused. "Stories get twisted up to make whoever's got the power look the best. I'm willin' to think that, takin' that into consideration along with the fact that the senate had reasons not to care for the guy, he wasn't half as cracked as people today think he is."

He paused, and then smirked a little.

"Besides, you don't gotta be insane to like gamblin', and sex, yo."

Re: Class Discussion: Madness or Mere Depravity?

[ella-obeys.livejournal.com]

"It sounds as though a great deal of it may be propaganda," Ella said, considering. "The underclasses wouldn't be writing the histories, would they? And it sounds as though those in charge had reasons to dislike him."

Re: Class Discussion: Madness or Mere Depravity?

[senor-chado.livejournal.com]

Chad rubbed his neck, worrying that a lot of this might just be way over his head, but he thought he'd throw his opinion into it.

"Maybe it was neither? Maybe the guy just didn't know quite how to handle all the power of his position in the smartest ways."

Re: Class Discussion: Madness or Mere Depravity?

[solo_sword]

"It sounds like the guy was jerk, what with the wife-killing and constant attempts at matricide and all, but I don't think he was insane," Jaina decided. "Honestly, considering a lot of things people get up to when they're that high in power, it almost seems tame."

Re: Class Discussion: Madness or Mere Depravity?

[notyourpawn.livejournal.com]

"I don't think he was mad," Alice said carefully. "He was very good to some, and horrendously cruel to others. I don't think that's madness. I think that might be who he was. It's easy to be generous to the unseen underclasses and pat yourself on the back for how forward thinking you are. Your wife is a far more personal affair, more likely to aggravate you on a personal level and end up on the wrong side of your boots."

Pair Up: Which Way Madness Lies.

[atreideslioness]

If it is madness, of what type? Look at Nero's family tree, then look at your handouts on encephalitis, epilepsy, which his uncle suffered from, and meningitis. What disease may account for Nero's erraticisms?

Re: Pair Up: Which Way Madness Lies.

[ella-obeys.livejournal.com]

Ella had no idea which disease it could have been, but she was happy to work with someone to figure it out.

Re: Pair Up: Which Way Madness Lies.

[notyourpawn.livejournal.com]

Alice glanced around for a partner, while stealing looks at her handout.

She had imagined madness to be a rather straightforward disease, not something carried along by physical ailments.

Pair Up: The World is on Fire

[atreideslioness]

You have on your desks information about The Great Fire of Rome. Pair up with either the same partner or someone new, and discuss if you think Nero is guilty or innocent.

Re: Pair Up: The World is on Fire

[raspberryturk]

Reno stared at the handouts, looking slightly like he was about to be ill, dammit, but he was steadfastly fighting it down.

He was looking at mass-destruction that saw an authority figure sitting above it all, having a grand time watching casually and enjoying his music, complete with a scapegoat later, when everyone was panicking for someone to blame, all in favor of building a stronger, better Midgar.

Rome. Rome. In favor of building a better Rome.

He was wondering if maybe he could take back the "Sane" conviction he'd given, before.

Talk to the TAs

[atreideslioness]

Once the lovely ladies ping in.

Re: Talk to the TAs

[notyourpawn.livejournal.com]

Alice was here, pondering how madness and fire seemed inexplicably intertwined.

Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

She's here, perpetually amused.

Re: Talk to Ghanima

[raspberryturk]

Teacher wanted to talk to him, therefore Reno was there to be talked to.

And he was in a pretty pleasant mood, considering that he wasn't wee and made of plastic anymore.

"You wanted to talk at me?"

OOC

[atreideslioness]

Let's not burn down the school, okay?

Re: OOC

[notyourpawn.livejournal.com]

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM YOU NEVER LET ME DO ANYTHING FUN I WAS JUST GONNA BURN A LITTLE OF IT WHY CAN'T I BURN A LITTLE OF IT MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM