ORF-E
English
1 X 52 min
Worldwide except for the USA, Germany and France 

He’s the most notorious of all Roman emperors. He burned Rome, he engaged in incest, and killed his mother, his wife and thousands of Christians. He was a psycho. But suppose it was all lies? What if the “crimes” he committed never happened, or were normal behaviour for a Roman emperor? Suppose his enemies decided to trash his reputation, and succeeded for two thousand years? Was Nero actually a hero, who took from the rich and gave to the poor? Historians, psychologists, criminologists and toxicologists are brought in as this documentary reopens a cold case. Together they reveal a complex web of lies, deflections and intrigues. Flashbacks and re-enactments encourage the viewer to explore theories that are suddenly undermined by unexpected twists. The result: a reassessment of Roman history. It’s time to re-examine the Nero Files.