Nero (37-68) was the fifth of the Roman emperors. He ascended the throne as Claudius adopted son. Under the influence of his mentor, the philosopher Seneca, Nero commenced his reign with a series of reforming edicts. However he was only 16 years old, much too young to rule this large empire and his reign turned into a nightmare with Nero totally engrossed in dissipated amusement and self indulgence.