Nero Julius Caesar (c. AD 6–31) was the adopted grandson and heir of the Roman emperor Tiberius, alongside his brother Drusus.

Born into the prominent Julio-Claudian dynasty, Nero was the son of Tiberius' general and heir, Germanicus.

Sejanus, prefect of the Praetorian Guard, had become powerful in Rome and is believed by ancient writers such as Suetonius and Tacitus to have been responsible for the downfall of Drusus the Younger.

Nero had eight siblings: four brothers (Tiberius and Gaius Julius, who died young; Drusus Caesar; and Gaius, nicknamed "Caligula") , three sisters (Agrippina the Younger, Julia Drusilla, and Julia Livilla) and a brother or sister of unknown name (normally referenced as Ignotus).

His victories against the German tribes which had made him popular as he avenged the Roman defeat at the Battle of Teutoburg Forest.

[4][5] At the direction of Tiberius, Germanicus was dispatched to Asia to reorganize the provinces and assert imperial authority there.

[6] While Nero's father was alive he had been betrothed to the daughter of Creticus Silanus, the one-time governor of Syria.

[7] However, in AD 20, Nero married Julia, daughter of Livilla and Drusus the Younger (Tiberius' only son by Vipsania Agrippina).

On 7 June AD 20, Nero was brought into the forum to receive the toga virilis, introduced into the Senate by Tiberius and Drusus the Younger, and was promised the office of quaestor in five years' time.

[10] His brother Drusus was introduced to the Senate with similar honours in AD 23, and he too was promised the rank of quaestor in five years' time.

[21] By this time, Sejanus' association with Tiberius had reached the point where members of Roman society would make prayers and sacrifices and erect statues in his honour.

Tiberius sent a letter to the Senate in which he accused Agrippina and Nero of misconduct, but was unable to convict them of any attempt at rebellion.

[25] Tiberius found it necessary to repeat his charges, and when he did, the Senate no longer delayed; the fate of Agrippina and Nero was sealed.

[27][28] Sejanus remained powerful until his sudden downfall and summary execution in October AD 31, just after the death of Nero.