ABSTRACT
Although Nero’s Julio-Claudian antecedents – and especially his connections with the family of Germanicus – guaranteed some residual goodwill for him in the Roman army, he is (and was) regarded as one of the most unmilitary of Roman emperors; ultimately, his lack of interest in his armies contributed in no small way to his downfall in ad 68. Yet the armies were involved in more warfare during Nero’s reign than was often the case, and the Elder Pliny suggests that expeditions were planned into Ethiopia (modern Sudan) and the Caucasus region, although in the event these never took place. Nevertheless it is worth pointing out that, at least until his later years, Nero felt sufficiently strong and secure to appoint commanders who were of high calibre and reputation – men such as Suetonius Paullinus (Britain) and Domitius Corbulo (in the east).
