The Roman Empire 68 CE

Although Nero managed to defend the territories of the Roman Empire during his reign, discontent amongst many within the ruling class reached breaking point after he massively increased public spending following the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE. A rebellion against Nero began in 68 CE led by Vindex, governor of Gallia Lugdunensis. Although this first rebellion was put down, momentum against Nero continued to increase until the Senate declared him an enemy of the state. Nero committed suicide before he was arrested by opposing forces, and Galba was installed as the new Emperor. This began a brief period of turmoil known as the Year of the Four Emperors in which four different emperors were proclaimed and overthrown between 68¬–69 CE. The divisive Nero, the last of the Julio–Claudian Dynasty, attained god-like status amongst the poor after his death thanks to sympathetic policies he enacted during his reign.