Nero

[ neer-oh ]

noun

1. ( Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus ) ( “Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus” ) a.d. 37–68, emperor of Rome 54–68, known for his cruelty and depravity.
2. a male given name.

Nero

/ ˈnɪərəʊ /

noun

1. Nero3768MRomanPOLITICS: hereditary ruler full name Nero Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus; original name Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus. 37–68 ad , Roman emperor (54–68). He became notorious for his despotism and cruelty, and was alleged to have started the fire (64) that destroyed a large part of Rome

Nero

1. An ancient Roman emperor, famed for his cruelty. He had his mother and wife killed and kicked his mistress to death while she was pregnant. Nero also persecuted Christians (see also Christian ), blaming them for a great fire in Rome . According to tradition, he put the Apostles Peter and Paul to death.

Notes

A famous legend holds that Nero caused the great fire of Rome himself and played a violin while watching it. To say that someone is “ fiddling while Rome burns ” is to say that the person is indifferent to catastrophe.

Example Sentences

Independent coffee house chain 200 Degrees has been purchased by Caffè Nero.

From BBC

Both stories end with a downer — Poppea and Nero get everything they want, and it turns out that even a catastrophic cosmic event that destroys most of Earth can't quite destroy racial segregation.

From Salon

Some see this as a new version of the apocryphal story of Nero fiddling while Rome burns.

From Los Angeles Times

Audience members, who were ushered out of the theater, were rattled by the incident, according to broadcaster Paul Nero.

From Los Angeles Times

The Nero awards are open to any writer living in the UK or Ireland.

From BBC