The cost to rebuild Rome is immense, requiring funds the state treasury does not have.

Nero devalues the Roman currency for the first time in the Empire's history, reducing the weight of the denarius from 84 per Roman pound to 96 (3.85 grams to 3.35 grams).

He also reduces the silver purity from 99.5% to 93.5%—the silver weight dropping from 3.83 grams to 3.4 grams.

Furthermore, Nero reduces the weight of the aureus from 40 per Roman pound to 45 (8 grams to 7.2 grams).

Nero’s economic policy is a point of debate among scholars.

According to ancient historians, Nero's construction projects were overly extravagant and the large number of expenditures under Nero left Italy "thoroughly exhausted by contributions of money" with "the provinces ruined."

(Tacitus, Annals) Modern historians, though, note that the period was riddled with deflation and that it is likely that Nero's spending came in the form of public works projects and charity intended to ease economic troubles.

Nero also sings at the second quinquennial Neronia in 65.

It is said that Nero craved the attention,but historians also write that Nero was encouraged to sing and perform in public by the Senate, his inner circle and the people.

Ancient historians strongly criticize his choice to perform, calling it shameful.

Poppaea had borne Nero one daughter, Claudia Augusta, born on January 21, 63, who died at only four months of age.

At the birth of Claudia, Nero had honored mother and child with the title of Augusta.

The cause and timing of Poppaea's death is uncertain.

According to Suetonius, while she was awaiting the birth of her second child in the summer of 65, she quarreled fiercely with Nero over him spending too much time at the races.

In a fit of rage, Nero kicked her in the abdomen, so causing her death.

Tacitus, on the other hand, places the death after the Quinquennial Neronia and claims Nero's kick was a "casual outburst."

Tacitus also mentions that some writers (now lost) claimed Nero poisoned her, though Tacitus does not believe them.

Cassius Dio claims Nero leapt upon her belly, but admits that he doesn't know if it was intentional or an accident.

Modern historians, though, keep in mind Suetonius, Tacitus and Cassius Dio's severe bias against Nero and the impossibility of them knowing private events, and hence recognize that Poppaea may have simply died due to fatal miscarriage complications or in childbirth (in which case the second child also did not survive).

Nero, in any case, goes into deep mourning.

Her body is not cremated but stuffed with spices, embalmed, and put in the Mausoleum of Augustus.

She is given a state funeral.

Nero praises her during the funeral eulogy and gives her divine honors.

It is said that Nero "burned ten years' worth of Arabia's incense production at her funeral.

By 65, senators complain that they have no power left; this leads to the Pisonian conspiracy, in which Gaius Calpurnius Piso, a Roman statesman, organizes a conspiracy against Nero with the help of Subrius Flavus and Sulpicius Asper, a tribune and a centurion of the Praetorian Guard.

According to Tacitus, many conspirators wished to "rescue the state" from the emperor and restore the Republic.

The freedman Milichus discovers the conspiracy and reports it to Nero's secretary, Epaphroditos.

As a result, the conspiracy fails and its members are executed including Lucan, the twenty-six-year-old epic poet and nephew of Seneca the Younger, Nero's previous advisor.

Seneca is ordered to commit suicide after admitting he discussed the plot with the conspirators.

Lucan leaves his unfinished Bellum Civile, sometimes called the Pharsalia, an account of the Roman civil wars between Julius Caesar and the senatorial class.

Nero’s executions increase in 65, when an assassination plot is uncovered; he allegedly kicks to death his scheming second wife, Poppaea.