ABSTRACT
Tacitus clearly regarded the turn of the years, AD 58 and 59, as a significant point in Nero's reign. The thirteenth book of the Annals, alone amongst the surviving Claudian and Neronian books, comes to a close with the ending of a year during portent of the withering of the ancient tree, the Ficus Ruminalis. Although the tree sprang back to life, this was a sign that was taken to be both momentous and disturbing. The reason, of course, is not far to seek: Annals 14 opens with an account of Nero's murder of his mother. Nero's version of events had, from his own point of view, the desired effect, as senators competed in offering thanks for the escape which had been engineered by the intervention of Good Fortune. Nero introduced set of games in the following year and competitions, known as the Neronia, that were to be celebrated every five years.
