Royalty & Nobility · Ancient World
Nero’s Last Words
“Qualis artifex pereo! (What an artist dies in me!)”— Nero, June 9, 68 AD
Who Was Nero?
Nero was the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. His reign became infamous for persecution of Christians, the Great Fire of Rome, and his extravagant artistic pretensions.
The Final Moments
Nero fled Rome as the Senate declared him a public enemy. He hid at a freedman's villa and, unable to bring himself to commit suicide, had a servant drive a dagger into his throat as soldiers approached.
Are These Words Verified?
Reported by Suetonius who wrote several decades after Nero's death, drawing on earlier sources. The quote is famous but not from eyewitness accounts.
Sources
- biography Suetonius 'Lives of the Twelve Caesars'
- biography Cassius Dio
- biography Tacitus
Legacy
Nero's name became synonymous with tyrannical excess. The legend of him fiddling while Rome burned (actually playing the lyre) endures to this day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Nero’s last words?
“Qualis artifex pereo! (What an artist dies in me!)”
How did Nero die?
Nero died on June 9, 68 AD at the age of 30. Cause of death: Suicide (stabbed himself in the throat).
Were Nero’s last words documented?
Reported by Suetonius who wrote several decades after Nero's death, drawing on earlier sources. The quote is famous but not from eyewitness accounts.
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