CHAP. II. Of the Emperour Nero.
NEro was the sixt Emperour or Cesar of the Romaines, in whome ended al the family of Augustus. In the begin∣ning of his empire; he liued for some yeares honestly: after∣ward he became horribly vicious; he exceeded in all naughtie dealing and tyrannie, & yet had his education vnder the graue, reuerend, and wise Seneca.
Nero was adopted into the empire by Claudius, who mar∣ried his mother Agrippina. He was so blodthirstie and cruel, that he caused his owne mother, his wife, his brother, and his deare friend Seneca, to be murthered cruelly.
In the dayes of Nero, a comet appeared for the space of sixe moneths; which was a rare and wonderfull thing.
Nero was the first Emperour of Rome, that by publique e∣dict caused the christians to be tormented: about the tenth yere of his raigne saint Peter and saint Paul were put to death at Rome. Saint Peter was crucified with his head downward; and saint Paul was beheaded with the sword.
Nero, besides all other his wicked actes, burnt Rome, and in the foureteenth yeere of his raigne (which was the two and thirtieth yeare of his age) hee receiued condigne punishment for his due deserts. He cutte his owne throate with his owne knife, and vttered these most execrable wordes, Haec est fides. This is my faith and beleefe.