Exploring Domus Aurea or Golden House

Historical Background

The Domus Aurea was built by Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (37-68 AD), the fifth emperor of Rome and one of the most controversial figures in history. He came to power in 54 AD after the death of his adoptive father Claudius, who had married his mother Agrippina. Nero soon eliminated his rivals and enemies, including his mother, his first wife Octavia, his tutor Seneca, and many senators and generals. He also indulged in artistic pursuits, such as singing, playing the lyre, writing poetry, and performing on stage.

In 64 AD, a great fire broke out in Rome, lasting for six days and seven nights. It destroyed three of the fourteen districts of the city and damaged seven more. The fire started near the Circus Maximus, where Nero had planned to build his new palace. Many Romans suspected that Nero had ordered the fire to clear space for his project. According to some sources, Nero watched the fire from his palace on the Palatine hill, playing the lyre and singing about the fall of Troy. He also blamed the Christians for the fire and persecuted them brutally.

Nero took advantage of the fire to rebuild Rome according to his own vision. He designed a new urban plan that included wider streets, porticoes, fountains, and public buildings. He also started the construction of his Domus Aurea, a lavish palace complex that occupied a large part of the city center. He spared no expense or effort to make it the most magnificent residence ever seen. He imported rare materials and artworks from all over the empire, and employed the best architects and craftsmen. He also added features that reflected his personal taste and whims, such as a revolving dining room, a lake with naval battles, and a 35-meter-high statue of himself.

The Domus Aurea was not well received by the Roman people or the Senate. They saw it as a symbol of Nero's tyranny, extravagance, and megalomania. They resented his appropriation of public lands and resources, and his neglect of the common good. They also feared his increasing instability and paranoia, as he executed or exiled anyone who opposed or criticized him. In 68 AD, a series of revolts broke out in Gaul, Spain, and Africa, supported by some of the governors and generals. Nero lost the loyalty of the army and the Senate, and was declared a public enemy. He fled from Rome and committed suicide in a villa near the city. He was the first Roman emperor to die by his own hand.

After Nero's death, his successors tried to erase his legacy and restore the traditional order. The Domus Aurea was stripped of its valuables and filled with earth. The lake was drained and replaced by the Flavian Amphitheater (the Colosseum). The statue of Nero was removed and replaced by a statue of the sun god. The palace was forgotten for centuries, until it was rediscovered in the Renaissance. It became a source of inspiration for many artists, who admired its beauty and originality. It also became a subject of study for historians and archaeologists, who sought to understand its history and significance.