Nero: Roman Emperor and Devil May Cry Devil Hunter – A Tale of Two Neros (and Their Complicated Families)
Nero. The name resonates in history. We explore two Neros here. One is a Roman Emperor, the other a hero from Devil May Cry. Both face complex family dynamics. Let’s dive into these stories.
Nero the Roman Emperor: It’s All Relative (and Often Poisonous)
Nero was born into royalty. His mother, Julia Agrippina, was powerful within the Julio-Claudian dynasty. She wielded influence like a centurion wielded a gladius. Agrippina was the ultimate stage mom for an Emperor.
Nero’s father was Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus. Unfortunately, he died when Nero was just two or three years old. This early loss complicated Nero’s childhood immensely.
Agrippina remarried her uncle, Emperor Claudius. Suddenly, Nero had a powerful step-dad. Claudius adopted him as heir to the throne. A significant upgrade in family status.
Family bliss did not last long. Agrippina supposedly poisoned Claudius when Nero was twelve. Tension must have filled family dinners.
Sibling Rivalry? More Like Sibling Multitude for Nero (Roman Edition)
Nero had a whopping eight siblings! Yes, eight. Let’s break down this Roman family:
- Brothers Galore: Tiberius, Gaius Julius (who died young), Drusus Caesar, and Gaius, known as “Caligula.”
- Sisterhood Strong: Agrippina the Younger, Julia Drusilla, and Julia Livilla.
- The Mysterious Sibling: One sibling is lost to history, called “Ignotus.”
With that many siblings, speaking at dinner must have been an extreme challenge.
Marital Mayhem: Nero’s Wives (Roman Emperor Style)
Marriage in Rome was often political. Nero’s first wife, Claudia Octavia, was directly related to him through his step-father. Claudius fathered Claudia. Marrying a step-sister? A classic Roman dilemma.
Nero also had a mistress, Poppaea Sabina. She convinced him to divorce Octavia. Roman divorces were rarely peaceful.
Though records mention Claudia and Poppaea, some accounts suggest Nero may have had three wives. The details of the third remain unclear.
Offspring? Not So Much for Emperor Nero
Nero’s family line was short. He had one daughter, Claudia Augusta. Unfortunately, she died in infancy. Thus, Nero’s legacy ended abruptly.
Nero the Devil May Cry Hero: Demon Blood and Daddy Issues
Now, we transition to Devil May Cry. This Nero has a different background. He possesses powerful genes flowing through him.
Vergil Sparda: The Deadbeat Dad of the Demon World (and Nero’s Father)
Nero is Vergil’s son. Capcom revealed this in June 2018. Vergil is not an average father. His full name is Vergil Sparda. He is a strong demon with considerable power.
Vergil’s lineage is dramatic. He is Sparda’s son, coupled with a human named Eva. Thus, Nero is part demon and part human. Quite a mixed heritage.
Dante: Uncle or Rival? It’s Complicated (Again)
Vergil has a twin brother, Dante. Yes, the famous pizza-loving demon hunter. This makes Dante Nero’s uncle. Their relationship is more rivalrous than familial.
Vergil’s fighting style contrasts with Dante’s. Vergil favors refined swordsmanship, while Dante utilizes chaos with firearms and swords.
Eva: Grandma Dearest (Who Met a Tragic End)
Avoiding tragedy, let’s recall Eva, Nero’s grandmother. She was Sparda’s human wife and mother to Vergil and Dante. Her story ended sadly as she was killed by demons sent by Mundus.
Kyrie: Nero’s… What Exactly?
Nero is linked to Kyrie. They raise orphans together. They live as partners but unclear on marital status. Capcom hasn’t confirmed their marriage yet. A demon-free wedding planner may be needed.
Nero’s Arsenal and Abilities: From Devil Bringer to Devil Breaker (and Beyond)
Nero does not rely solely on charm in his demon-hunting career. He possesses powers. Originally, he had the “Devil Bringer,” a demonic arm with super strength.
Capcom swapped the Devil Bringer for the “Devil Breaker,” a customizable prosthetic arm. Vergil tore off Nero’s arm. He stole the Yamato sword too. A classic father-son bonding moment, right?
Nero ultimately regains a form of the Devil Bringer. It appears as spectral wing-arms, embracing additional demonic energy.
Strength Showdown: Nero vs. Dante (and a Random Goku Thrown In)
Debates about strength exist in every fandom. In DMC, many think Nero isn’t stronger than Dante yet. Nero has potential but Dante boasts experience and powerful transformations.
Nero defeated Vergil in Devil May Cry 5, proving his strength. Dante remains the top hunter in comparison.
Internet debates extend to characters like Vergil and Goku. Some say Vergil could be multiversal while Goku is solar system level, even at Ultra Instinct. Such comparisons amuse power-scaling enthusiasts.
Immortality? Maybe for Nero (Roman Emperor, Not DMC)
Regarding the Roman Nero, stories claim he achieved immortality as a God-Emperor. Roman Emperors often became deified posthumously, but literal immortality likely remains mythical.
The Mystery of Dante’s Death Mask: Spoiler Alert, He Didn’t Die (Then)
Lastly, Dante’s “death mask” holds intrigue. Scholars believe it is more of a sepulchral effigy than an actual death mask. Evidence lacks proving it even resembles Dante properly.
So, we have two Neros in different realms. Both face family struggles and power dynamics. Whether a dubious emperor or a demon slayer; life never lacks excitement when you’re a Nero.
