Nero committed suicide on June 9, 68 A.D.

On June 9, 68 A.D. the Roman Emperor Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus - better known simply as Nero - committed suicide, after quoting Homer's Iliad. Nero was the last emperor with family ties to Julius Caesar and Octavian Caesar. thus ending the Julio-Claudian Dynasty and starting the civil year known as the Year of the Four Emperors.

Perhaps not so coincidentally, June 9 was his wedding anniversary. Nero wed Claudia Octavia in 53 A.D. He later had her executed on June 9, 62 A.D. along with her sister.

Nero's reign was highlighted by his extravagance. This extravagance included both the largest palace ever built by anyone in history – the Domus Aurea (underground ruins of which contains the finest Roman era paintings to survive) and a 120 foot statue of himself – then larger than any in the world. This was paid for by heavy handed taxation on both ther Roman people and the provinces which helped inspired revolts. Queen Boadicea led a revolt of the Britons in 61 A.D. and an insurrection in Judea lasted from 66 to 70 finally resulting in the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

He fancied himself an artist, which scandalized not only the Senatorial elites, but also the common soldiers of the legions. The massive Great Fire in Rome in 64 A.D. made him even more unpopular – especially since his enemies speculated that Nero had started the fire. To cast blame on other, he blamed Christians for the arson. Both St. Paul and St. Peter were killed in this first great persecution of Christians. The murders did little to squelch suspicions that he started the fire and his tyrannical conduct and lavish building projects only multiplied his enemies.

Governor Servius Sulpicius Galba in Spain revolted, then Governor Gaius Julius Vindex revolted in Gaul (France). Legate Clodius Macer in Africa revolted against Nero. Legate of Lusitania Otho declared his support for Galba.

By this time Nero was a madman and jokingly told the Senate, "I have only to appear and sing to have peace once more in Gaul."

Galba declared himself emperor. Vindex was defeated at the Battle of Vestantio by the Rhine legions. They then also revolted against Nero, under the command of Vitellus whom they declared emperor.

On June 9 a furious Senate condemned Nero to death and declared Galba emperor. The Praetorian Guard abandoned Nero. His servants attempted to flee Italy on ships at Ostia. Nero fled to a villa of one of his freedmen supporters. The Senate dispatched troops to arrest Nero.

The historian Suetonius said that Nero stabbed himself in the throat with a dagger before he could be captured and faced a slow agonizing death at the hands of the Senate.

Galba never was able to consolidate the Empire around himself. Galba was an old man with no children. He made the critical mistake of not paying the Praetorian Guard what they had been promised for overthrowing Nero. Secondly he declared Piso Licinianus as his heir. Otho, who had wanted to be the heir, murdered him for it. Otho was very popular; but Vitellus and the Rhine Legions defeated Otho in battle. Otho committed suicide the next day. Two months later the Roman mob killed Vitellus. Vespasian who had been besieging Jerusalem at the time then secured the throne.