Nero, born in 37 AD, was the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty of the Roman Empire. In 64 AD, a great fire broke out in the city of Rome, lasting for nine days and marking one of the most catastrophic events in Roman history. Rumors have circulated that Nero himself started the fire. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by his mother, Agrippina. Agrippina poisoned her second husband and married her uncle, Claudius, later deposing her biological son, Britannicus, to make Nero the heir. After ascending to the throne, Nero led a life of luxury and excess, and his administration was rife with corruption. When the fire occurred, Nero was reportedly on his stage, playing the lyre and reciting poetry, and even took the opportunity to build his lavish palace. However, whether Nero actually set the fire remains a mystery to this day.