Claudius is dead, murdered by his power-hungry wife, Agrippina. Her 14-year-old son Nero is now hailed as the fifth Roman emperor—the heir to the Julio-Claudian dynasty founded by Caesar Augustus. Nero shall be its last member. Juvenile and brash, the empire's youngest ruler takes the stage almost unwillingly, more interested in reciting Greek theatre than delivering speeches. His reign is paradoxical, as the teenage emperor shows callousness to his allies yet compassion for his subjects. Despite this demeanor, Nero seems to be the salvation of the Roman Empire: with his reforms, the senate no longer yearns for the restoration of the Roman Republic. However, as his authority and influence grow, Nero's greed soon becomes insatiable. Slowly succumbing to madness, Nero finds himself driven by desire, alienating and assassinating even his family and closest advisors. To the end of his life, he coats his hands in blood like the very blood that brought him to the throne. [Written by MAL Rewrite]