death

Question 1

How he died

Answer 1

Most people, think he was poisoned, but by who is disputed

Question 2

who may have poisoned him

Answer 2

• eunuch Halotus, his official taster

- Agrippina at a family banquet, poisoning a dish of mushrooms

Question 3

What happened after the poisoning

Answer 3

• lost power of speech, pain all night long, died shortly before dawn
• fell into a coma, “vomited up the entire contents of his stomach” poisoned a second time, by a gruel or the excuse that he need food to be revived or an enema the excuse being that his bowels must be emptied too

Question 4

His death was revealed late

Answer 4

Death not revealed till all arrangements completed for his successor
People Made vows for his safety as if he still lived
Troop of comic actors summoned

Question 5

Death

Answer 5

Died 13th October AD54

Question 6

age

Answer 6

64 years old,

Question 7

length of reign

Answer 7

14 years

Question 8

his funeral

Answer 8

Princely funeral, officially deified

Question 9

omens of his death

Answer 9

• comet
• Lightening that struck his father Drusus’ memorial
• An unusual mortality among magistrates of all ranks

Question 10

Foresaw his death

Answer 10

• Provided no appointment with the consuls on the month after he died
• Last visit to the senate: offered an earnest plea for harmony between Britannicus and Nero asking the senators to guide them with great care through their youth
• Final appearance at the tribunal he said more than once that he had reached the end of his mortal career. Everyone cried “the gods forbid”