What was Neros personality?

Down through the years poor old Nero has been the object of malice from the ancient writers to Hollywood producers. Now he did do some outrageous things, and he did come down hard on those that opposed him, but he had another side to his personality that many times is overlooked.

Nero was not only artistic and cultured, he was also the only emperor who took an interest in things technological and scientific. He personally designed the new parts of the city after the great fire. His Golden House was masterpiece of innovation and there's no reason to think that he didn't work right along with his architects. He sent an expedition to explore the upper reaches of the Nile, was interested in pharmaceuticals and used the first known pair of eyeglasses.

Even at the end of his reign, when the armies were rising against him, he was absorbed in perfecting a new type of water organ.