# Nero — Beric the Briton character guide

> Nero in Beric the Briton by G. A. Henty.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0015-xiv-rome-in-flames

## Snapshot

Rome's dissolute emperor, who keeps the captured Briton Beric close as a trusted bodyguard while his city sinks deeper into extravagance and fear.

## Who they are

Nero rules a court of carousals, confiscation, and assassination plots, and after the Piso conspiracy he surrounds himself with guards he can trust — including the straightforward Beric, whose honesty he comes to rely on. His lavish building projects and public profligacy scandalize even Rome, and the provinces are bled to fund his pleasures. To the captive Britons, he embodies a civilization that has lost all sense of virtue, and his growing dependence on Beric tightens the trap around his foreign guard.

## Relationships

### [Beric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/beric)

_rivalry_

Beric is a defiant enemy of the tyrannical Emperor Nero, opposing his cruelty and oppression.

### [Norbanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/norbanus)

_professional_

Nero is the emperor and Norbanus is his subordinate official, serving the imperial will.

### [Beric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/beric)

_rivalry_

Beric is a defiant enemy of the tyrannical Emperor Nero, opposing his cruelty and oppression.

### [Beric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/beric)

_rivalry_

Beric is a defiant enemy of the tyrannical Emperor Nero, opposing his cruelty and oppression.

### [Norbanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/norbanus)

_professional_

Nero is the emperor and Norbanus is his subordinate official, serving the imperial will.

### [Norbanus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/norbanus)

_professional_

Nero is the emperor and Norbanus is his subordinate official, serving the imperial will.

## In the story

### [A School for Gladiators](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xii-a-school-for-gladiators)

Referenced as a tyrant who indulges in gladiatorial sports and distributes free grain to maintain popularity.

### [XIV: Rome in Flames](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xiv-rome-in-flames)

Emperor who returns to Rome on the third day of the fire and begins planning the rebuilding of the city.

### [XV: The Christians to the Lions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xv-the-christians-to-the-lions)

Observes Beric's victory, offers him a role as private librarian and guard, expressing a desire for a trustworthy companion.

### [In Nero's Palace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xvi-in-nero-s-palace)

Appoints Beric to his household; discusses Beric's request for Boduoc and the British guards; portrayed as having two sides—gentle patron and ruthless tyrant.

### [Betrothal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xvii-betrothal)

Nero confides in Beric about his fears of conspirators and the Stoic party, and grows to trust Beric as a loyal guard.

### [The Outbreak](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xviii-the-outbreak)

Pressures Beric to bring Aemilia to court, then panics and calls the Praetorians after Rufinus is attacked.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters/nero
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/beric_the_briton_se/characters