Hail Caesar spans three continents and seven centuries to tell the saga of the Roman Empire and the men who shaped it. Its army dominated the known world and its culture forms the heart of Western Civilization. At its peak, the Roman Empire extended from Persia to England, from the Black Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, and throughout its history, its fate rested in the hands of individuals-men of genius and courage, madness and ambition. Hail Caesar would be useful for classes on Western Civilization, the Classics, Ancient History, Ancient Culture, Geography, Political Science and Civics. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Nero

He was seventeen when he took the throne, and during his capricious, fourteen-year rule, Nero almost brought the Empire to ruin. He was unable to quell rebellions in Britain and Judea. He killed many political enemies, including his mother and sister. When a fire-which some claim he set-destroyed most of Rome, he blamed the Christians and persecuted the then-tiny sect. Eventually, the army rose up against him, the Senate declared him a public enemy and he committed suicide in disgrace.

• aesthetic
• clemency
• conflagration
• conscientiously
• consort
• courtier
• denigrate
• derision
• eccentric
• intrigue
• judicious
• matricide
• prosper
• reputed
• sanctify
• undaunted

1. Nero was not the natural son of the emperor Claudius. How did he become the heir to the throne?

2. It was dangerous to be a member of the Roman Imperial Family. Why was it so dangerous?

3. Caligula, the emperor before Claudius, was the first emperor to be assassinated. Why was Caligula assassinated?

4. Agrippina, Nero's mother, was determined to have her son crowned as emperor. How did Agrippina get rid of the obstacles to her son's ascension?

5. Seneca, one of the greatest teacher-philosophers of the ancient world, tutored Nero. What did Seneca try to instill in Nero? Was he successful?

6. Nero poisoned his stepbrother Britannicus. Why did Nero kill him? Why was Britannicus a threat to Nero?

7. Nero had his mother murdered. Why and how was Agrippina murdered? How did Nero justify his actions?

8. The Great Fire of 64 AD destroyed most of the city of Rome. How did Nero try to help the Romans after the fire? Why was this too little, too late?

9. After the fire, Nero built an immense and lavish palace. Discuss how the building of this palace contributed to Nero's downfall?

10. Was Nero mad?

1. Research the early emperors of Rome and create a family tree that illustrates the bloodlines of the Imperial Family.

2. Design a coin for the reign of Nero.

3. Using a medium of your choice, create a model or pictorial representation of a chariot race. Use your creation to discuss the role of entertainment in ancient Rome.

4. Imagine that you are an architect in ancient Rome. Submit plans to Nero for his new palace.