Click an image to read a writing sample Burrus defends himself by appealing to the homophobia and misogyny of his condemners Merchant boasts of his competence to win Nero’s business Merchant professes his humility and his desire to aid Nero’s art Nero explains to his troupe he was late to rehearsal due to ambassadors keeping him Nero recounts and explains why he murdered his wife, Empress Octavia Nero and Sabinus discuss Nero’s contender for the throne, Galba Nero, to keep Burrus from leaving, recounts a traumatic experience that permanently damaged his identity Seneca describes Nero sharing a romantic night with a doll resembling his imperial guard captain