Latest / Nero: Mad Tyrant or Misunderstood Emperor? — Fexingo History / Nero's Greek Obsession: The Freedom of Achaia in 67 AD
Transcript
- Lucas: You know, we've talked a lot about Nero's artistic ambitions—his cithara playing, his chariot racing, his obsession with Greek culture. But there's one episode that really crystallized his philhellene identity, and it happened in 67 AD, during his grand tour of Greece. Luna: The trip where he won every contest he entered? Lucas: Exactly. But beyond the suspicious victories, he made a move that stunned the Roman world: at the Isthmian Games in Corinth, he declared that the province of Achaia—essentially mainland Greece—was free. He announced that Rome was restoring its 'ancient liberty', which meant no more tribute, no Roman governors, and self-rule under Greek laws. Luna: Wait—he actually released a province from Roman control? That's huge. Lucas: It was unprecedented. Provinces were the lifeblood of Rome's revenue, and here was an emperor voluntarily giving one up. Suetonius tells us Nero made the announcement in person at the Isthmian Games, standing before a massive crowd. He recited a speech in Greek, calling the Greeks 'the only people worthy of true freedom.' It was a direct echo of the famous declaration by Flamininus in 196 BC, when Rome first 'liberated' Greece from Macedon. Luna: So he was consciously styling himself as a second liberator, kind of like a Roman philhellene emperor. Lucas: Right. And he backed it up with concrete measures. He abolished the office of the Roman governor of Achaia, cancelled taxes for the Greek cities, and even remitted arrears. He granted immunity from prosecution to many Greeks, and he gave special privileges to Athens and Sparta. The historian Pausanias, writing a century later, records that Nero also dedicated gifts to the sanctuaries at Delphi, Olympia, and Epidaurus. He was literally showering Greece with favors. Luna: But this must have been incredibly unpopular back in Rome. The senators and equestrians who profited from provincial administration would have been furious. Lucas: Absolutely. And it wasn't just about money. There was a deep cultural prejudice among the Roman elite against Greek softness and decadence—the same prejudice that fueled criticism of Nero's own artistic pursuits. By elevating Greece, Nero was also elevating his own Greek-leaning persona, which his enemies saw as un-Roman. But for the Greeks themselves, it was a moment of euphoria. Inscriptions from the period show cities like Corinth and Athens minting coins with Nero's portrait and titles like 'Zeus the Liberator' or 'the new Apollo.' They even renamed months after him—the month of Gorpiaeus became Neronius in some places. Luna: Neronius—so they were literally calling a month after him. That's some serious devotion. Lucas: It was genuine in the moment. But the freedom was fragile. When Nero was overthrown in 68 AD, the new emperor Galba quickly reversed the decree. Achaia was re-established as a senatorial province, taxes were reimposed, and the old Roman administrative structure returned. So the 'liberation of Greece' lasted barely a year—essentially just the length of Nero's reign after 67 AD. But it left a lasting impression: later emperors like Hadrian and Trajan would emulate Nero's philhellenism in their own ways, funding buildings in Athens and patronizing Greek culture. Luna: So it wasn't just a crazy whim—it actually had a legacy, even if the policy itself was reversed. Lucas: Exactly. And that's what makes Nero such a complex figure. On the one hand, you have the matricide, the fire, the extravagant building projects. On the other, you have genuine cultural engagement with Greece that went beyond mere tourism. He seems to have really admired Greek art, language, and freedom. The historian Plutarch, who was a Greek himself, later wrote that Nero's gift of freedom was 'the most glorious act of his reign,' even though he criticized Nero's other excesses. Luna: Plutarch said that? That's pretty remarkable, given that Nero was normally so vilified by the literary tradition. Lucas: It is. And it tells us that at least among some Greeks, Nero was remembered fondly. There's even a tradition that Nero's ghost haunted the Isthmus of Corinth, still hoping to perform one last time. But the historical takeaway is this: Nero's Greek policy wasn't just a side show. It was a deliberate attempt to reshape the image of the Roman emperor as a patron of Hellenic civilization, and it influenced how later emperors thought about the relationship between Rome and Greece. For a brief moment, Achaia was free, and the Greeks celebrated. Luna: And then it was gone. But the idea remained. It's interesting to think what might have happened if Nero had lasted longer. Lucas: And on that note—since we're talking about what lasts and what doesn't—we should mention that this show itself is a labor of love that we keep ad-free because we believe in the value of thoughtful history conversations. If you appreciate that approach and want to support it, you can find us at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. It's a simple way to help us keep doing what we do, without ads or sponsors. Luna: Yeah, it really does make a difference. Every contribution helps us keep the research deep and the conversations genuine. Lucas: Absolutely. Now, back to Nero's legacy—one more detail that often gets overlooked. When Nero freed Achaia, he also granted the Greeks the right to participate in the Roman legal system on equal terms with Romans, at least in some matters. That was a huge step toward the eventual extension of Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of the empire, which wouldn't happen for another 150 years under Caracalla. So in a way, Nero's Greek policy was a precursor to that broader integration. Luna: So he was ahead of his time in some respects, even if his methods were, well, Nero-esque. Lucas: Exactly. And that tension—between the mad tyrant and the visionary reformer—is what keeps historians arguing about him to this day. Thanks for coming along on this deep dive into Nero's Greek adventure.