Through the history, Rome has reached the moments greatness, although it can’t be considered as a symbol of civil order, peace and prosperity. The honor to be named the Roman did not symbolize the belonging to one nation, but became the property of the human race. Seneca, Nero's childhood tutor, was calling Rome the common fatherland of all people. Speaking about Nero and Seneca, it is important to note that the Roman historian Suetonius provides us the information on Nero's reign (54-68 years). He describes the murder of Nero’s mother, the excesses associated with his artistic activities, and the fire in Rome. Suetonius pays specific attention to the good initiatives of the young emperor. Scientists believe that at the beginning Nero tried to rule according to the patterns of August (Parmele, 2006). He wanted to show his generosity, kindness, gentleness and justice to the people. The young Emperor cut awards for scammers, gave four hundred sesterces to each Roman, and offered the annuitant to the impoverished patricians. Actually, Nero was one of the most educated men of his time as he was educated by Seneca.
Seneca brought Nero up in modesty that was the first of virtues to him. Under Seneca’s influence, the young Emperor refused the title of father of the fatherland and the ritual of the Senate votes. Nero believed that he still had to earn them (Warrior, 2006). The type of Nero is remarkable as he, like a phoenix, was reborn in an era when money became a herald of truth.
Today it is hard to argue what is true and false in the information we have about Nero. Suetonius condemns his insolence, avarice, lust, debauchery and backs this up by the information that during feasts, Nero was surrounded by the prostitutes and dancers from all over Rome. However, even such life style didn’t cause complains from the Romans. They were already accustomed to the loose morals of the nobles. They suffered more from Nero’s immoderate spending. People were especially jealous of the wealth and the wild luxury (if they were poor themselves). Citizens condemned his extravagance in buildings, primarily in the construction of a huge golden palace from the Palatine to the Esquiline. Moreover, Nero ordered to build his own statue in the Golden House that statue should have surpassed the height of the famous Colossus of Rhodes (37 meters high) (Mackay, 2004). His house chambers were decorated all with gold, precious stones and pearl shell. The dining rooms had mechanical devices to scatter flowers and dissipate odors during feasts and celebrations. Such were the tastes of the high nobility of imperial Rome, the first persons of the empire. Continuous construction and excessive spending had led to the fact that Nero has emptied the state’s treasury. Then he began to confiscate wealth and possessions of the rich citizens.
Rome entered a new phase of development due to the complex confluence of events. Nero, while being the Emperor, soon realized that the power of capital has become almost limitless. Rome turned into a city where all the social hierarchy was based on the wealth. It was considered to be a certain absolute, representing the quintessence of the so-called western practical philosophy. The wealth became an indicator of the social and political status. However, the new conquest increased the wealth of the nouveau riche. That led to increased material inequality in society.
Seneca, who was one of the first persons in the Rome after Nero, was also not flawless. On the one hand, he was one of the richest men in Rome and received valuable gifts from the Emperor. On the other hand, in "Moral letters to Lucilius" he seemed to be genuinely assuring the reader that money and wealth can be a source of evil (Mommsen, 1996). He wrote that profit is not far away from a crime, and is closely connected with it. Seneca tried to find out whether wealth is the good, or the evil. At the same time, he didn’t risk to indulge in verifying the sharp questions of the wealth and poverty ratio.
The Roman poet Martial took Seneca’s side and was calling for a simple life. He stated that the basis of wealth in Rome is a wealth looted and captured from other nations (Mommsen, 1996). Also, that the city of Rome became the center of luxury and wealth, causing bribes and riots. He was condemning Romans for being aware that nothing can keep them from the desire to enrich themselves by any means. They do not voluntarily give loot others, and therefore it is in vain to expect that they will afraid of their wealth and will strive to share it with the poor.
As mentioned before, Seneca was also insincere. In his speeches, he could afford to be a democrat and philosopher. In practice, he had to be ruthless and cynical as a statesman and financier. He talked a lot about goodness, but accepted the fact that good deeds should not be squandered in the crowd. He said that extravagance does not deserve to be praised, especially in the good actions. In this case, however, he compares the kindness with overlooking loans and believes that to record deed in consumption is a shameful usury. Nevertheless, Seneca had undoubted influence on Nero in maintaining a reasonable balance between unbridled wealth oligarchs and objectives of the principality that were set out in the Throne speech by Caesar. And as soon as Seneca was appointed to be a Minister, he tried to stop the extortion that was obligatory in the provinces and to raise the level of social expenditures. Nero proposed the idea of abolition of indirect taxes (Mommsen, 1996). He tried to abolish charges and taxes on the twentieth share of the profit, although it was the fifteenth share of the revenue of Rome. These actions were very modest, but senators immediately started complaining about the destruction of the state treasury. The negative reaction of the Senate on Seneca’s decision was based on the fear of increasing direct taxes. At the same time, the reform, if it worked (and it was the main purpose), could reduce the role and importance of tax collectors.
Works Cited
Bentley, R. The History of Rome by Theodor Mommsen. Lnd N.p., 1867. Print.
Mackay, C. S. Ancient Rome: A military and political history. Cambridge N.p., 2004. Print.
Mommsen, T. A History of Rome under the Emperors. NY: Ruthledge, 1996. Print.
Niebuhr, B. Lectures on the history of Rome. Lnd N.p., 1989. Print.
Parmele, M. P. A short history of Rome and Italy. NY: Cosimo, 2006. Print.
Warrior, V. M. The History of Rome. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 2006. Print.
