Power is a delicate concept that has been interpreted in an abundance of different ways by the people who have acquired it throughout history. Whether it is obtained by force, intellect, or birthright, misuse of power has remained a constant that can be found in both great and corrupt leaders. Inappropriate use of power can be dated back to the beginning of the Common Era (CE) , where numerous emperors and empresses ruled with an iron fist, causing mass destruction to happen within their societies. One of the most ruthless and vicious emperor in 54 CE was Roman Emperor Nero, a devious leader that strived to protect his power at all costs. Although Nero rose to power with the intent of enhancing cultural life in the Roman Empire, his quickly
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Since Caligula died in the year 41 CE, Claudius, Nero’s great uncle, took control of the empire and lifted Nero’s mother from exile (Lessing, 2016). This shows that the power a person attains can be used to override a previous notion that the person in charge does not see fitting. However, Lessing explains how Claudius’s decision led to his downfall, as Nero and his mother planned to poison him in order for Nero to become the emperor (2016). This emphasizes how using one’s power can result into unforeseen repercussions. Nero, at age 16, was now ruler of the Roman Empire and had a plethora of power at his disposal, which he began to use as a means of enhancing life in the Roman Empire. Yet, over the course of his reign, his intentions became more selfish. For example, Nero was fond of the theatre, and was skilled in singing and acting; he used his power to ensure that his talents could be showcased in front of people that truly appreciated them (Buckley & Dinter, 2013, p. 3). This misuse of power made many Romans question the leadership of Emperor Nero, but they chose not to confront the great emperor. Consequently, this allowed Nero to use his position of emperor to create disorder in his
Since Caligula died in the year 41 CE, Claudius, Nero’s great uncle, took control of the empire and lifted Nero’s mother from exile (Lessing, 2016). This shows that the power a person attains can be used to override a previous notion that the person in charge does not see fitting. However, Lessing explains how Claudius’s decision led to his downfall, as Nero and his mother planned to poison him in order for Nero to become the emperor (2016). This emphasizes how using one’s power can result into unforeseen repercussions. Nero, at age 16, was now ruler of the Roman Empire and had a plethora of power at his disposal, which he began to use as a means of enhancing life in the Roman Empire. Yet, over the course of his reign, his intentions became more selfish. For example, Nero was fond of the theatre, and was skilled in singing and acting; he used his power to ensure that his talents could be showcased in front of people that truly appreciated them (Buckley & Dinter, 2013, p. 3). This misuse of power made many Romans question the leadership of Emperor Nero, but they chose not to confront the great emperor. Consequently, this allowed Nero to use his position of emperor to create disorder in his