One of the most cruel, narcissistic, depraved emperors of Rome (37 - 68) appears on the pages of a book written by a famous French historian not only for professionals in this field. Despite the extreme documentation, it is of undoubted interest for people inexperienced in history, will open new pages in the life of the scion of the Julius-Claudian family, hitherto unknown. Relying on the evidence of Suetonius and Tacitus, the author makes an attempt, quite natural for any sane person, to look at the “anti-hero” from a different point of view, to determine what motivated him, and, finally, to find positive aspects in the character of this extraordinary monarch. Sizek Eugene. Nero. - Rostov-on-Don: Phoenix, 1998. - 448 p. - (Mark on history). Circulation 5000 copies. — ISBN 5-222-00197-0.