Syndexios
Nero
Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
Alias Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus
Fifth Roman emperor and last of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, reigning from 54 until his death in 68.
Biography
of Nero
- Nero was probably a syndexios, possibly holding the rank of Pater.
- He was an Emperor from 13 October 54 to 9 June 68.
- Born 37 in Antium, Latium, Italia.
- Active in Roma, Latium, Italia.
- Died 68 in Roma, Latium, Italia.
TNMP 168
Nero’s initiation into the mysteries of Mithras is disputed.
Dio Cassius quotes Tiridates I of Armenia addressing Nero during his visit to Rome in 63.
These were his words: ‘Master, I am the descendant of Arsaces, brother of the kings Vologaesus and Pacorus, and thy slave. And I have come to thee, my god, to worship thee as I do Mithras. The destiny thou spinnest for me shall be mine; for thou art my Fortune and my Fate.’
—Dio Cassius. Historia Romana, epitome of book 63, 5:2
Mithras was, also, unified with the sun-god Helios, and became known as ’The Great God Helios-Mithras’. Emperor Nero adopted the radiating crown as the symbol of his sovereignty to exemplify the splendour of the rays of the sun, and to show that he was an incarnation of Mithras. He was initiated into the Mithraic religion by the Persian Magi brought to Rome by the King of Armenia.
—Franz Cumont (1902) Les Mystères de Mithra
Comments
Add a comment