Neron.

?1542 H. Brinkelow Complaynt Roderyck Mors xxv. sig. H7 At this day the extorcyon and cruelnes of the temporal rulars is so come to pas, that in maner euery one of them is become a very Nero.

1591 E. Spenser Complaints sig. Y4 So many Neroes and Caligulaes Out of these crooked shores must dayly rayse.

a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. ii. 152 You degenerate, you ingrate Reuolts, you bloudy Nero's, ripping vp the wombe. View more context for this quotation

1662 T. Brooks Crown & Glory Christianity 82 He that is a Cato without, and a Nero within; a Jacob without, and an Esau within..is ripened for the worst of torments.

1759 A. Smith Theory Moral Sentiments ii. v. 164 When we read in history concerning the perfidy and cruelty of a Borgia or a Nero, our heart rises up against the detestable sentiments which influenced their conduct.

1773 J. Scott Observ. Present State Parochial & Vagrant Poor 43 The cruelty of a Nero, or a Domitian.

c1830 Fable in 4th Irish Schoolbk. 50 He whom his party deems a hero, His foes a Judas or a Nero.

1885 T. D. Sullivan in Green Leaves (1887) 227 No landlord can ask that his rent should be paid, Unless he's the heart of a Nero.

1903 G. B. Shaw Man & Superman 213 Not a word has been said here of the excesses of our Neros, of whom we have the full usual percentage.

1924 J. Buchan Three Hostages i. 13 A Malay pirate who..was a sort of St. Francis with beasts, though a perfect Nero with his fellow-men.

1978 T. Hughes Cave Birds 16 Clowning, half-imbecile, A Nero of the unalterable.

2000 Western Morning News (Plymouth) (Electronic ed.) 14 Apr. The Neros of UEFA fiddle while the possibility grows ever closer of Elland Road burning with hate.