Sextus Afranius Burrus (born AD 1 in Vasio, Gallia Narbonensis; = ILS 1321. English translation died AD 62) was a prefect of the Praetorian Guard and was, together with Seneca the Younger, an advisor to the Roman emperor Nero, making him a very powerful man in the early years of Nero's reign. The cognomen "Burrus" is Latin for "red" or "reddish-brown", likely referring to his hair color.
Imperial Court Emperor Claudius Agrippina the Younger chose him as Prefect in 51 to secure her son Nero's place as emperor after the death of Claudius.
Emperor Nero For the first eight years of Nero's rule, Burrus and Nero's former tutor Seneca helped maintain a stable government. Burrus acquiesced to Nero's murder of Agrippina the Younger but lost his influence over Nero anyway.
Death In 62 AD, Burrus apparently suffered from a tumor in his throat or larynx Tacitus, Annals XIV. 51.1, which was likely the cause of his death. However, contemporary rumors claimed that Nero had poisoned him because he was annoyed by Burrus's outspoken opposition to his criminal activities.Cassius Dio 62.13.2–3 Suetonius reports that Nero sent him a poisonous medicine to treat the tumor in his throat.Sueton, Nero 35.5. Tacitus, on the other hand, leaves it open whether these rumors were actually true. Tacitus, Annals XIV.51.1.
Sources Tacitus Annales 12.42; 14.51 Suetonius Nero 35.5 = ILS 1321 Dio 62.13
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