Nero launches a series of attacks that result in the demise of certain members of the Roman elite. But why these particular people? And why now? We tease apart Tacitus to try to work out what’s really going on.

If you're seeing this message, it means you aren't logged in as a subscriber. If want to listen to the premium episodes of the series - hundreds of episodes on the lives of Julius, Augustus, Tiberius, Claudius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero and the Year of the Four Emperors - you’ll need to become one of our subscribers. REGISTER NOW to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's (thank you, Jesus, for that quote).