NERO, NEROUN. Nero, the Roman emperor, ruled A.D. 54-68. In A.D. 59 he had his mother murdered, and in 65 he ordered his teacher Seneca to commit suicide (Suetonius, Nero). The story in RR 6345-6488, which illustrates the destructiveness of Fortune, cites Suetonius as the source.

Nero's death is painted on the walls of Mars's temple, KnT 2032. The Monk tells the story, MkT 3369-3373. As the fox carries off Chauntecleer, the hens in the farmyard cry out, just as the senators' wives cried for their husbands when Nero burned Rome, NPT 3369-3373. Lady Philosophy describes the great harm and destructiveness done by Nero, Bo II, Metr 6.1-32; she points out his love of luxury, Bo III, Metr 4.1-13. Nero forced Seneca to give him his wealth, then he banished him; later, he commanded him to choose the manner of his death, Bo III, Prosa 5.47-49, 53-60. [Senec: Swetonius]

Nero, the English variant, appears seven times medially, KnT 2032; MkT 2403, 2504, 2511, 2510; NPT 3370, 3373. Neroun, a variant of French Neron, occurs once, in final rhyming position, MkT 2537.