When playing around with Google ngrams, I decided to see if there were any notable trends over time in how historical figures are perceived. At one point, I plugged in the names of Roman Emperors of the Julio-Claudian dynasty: the immediate successsors of Augustus Caesar: Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, and Nero.
http://ngrams.googlelabs.com/ngrams/gra ... moothing=3
Overall, while there are some noticeable trends in the interest in these emperors as a whole— the peak in the 1930s when I, Cluadius was published, for example— there's very little to distinguish one emperor from another for most of the graph. I did notice, however, that there was a marked incerase in interest in Nero relative to his imperial peers roughly correlating to the years of the Bush administration.
Was this merely a coincidence, or did the political atmosphere stimulate interest in Nero? I deciced to see if I could examine this trend in greater detail on the SPL database. Was there a year that interest in Nero peaked? Did interest drop off after Bush left office?
After determining that the best way to find books about Nero, rather than simply containing the word Nero, would be to search the subject1 field, I used this query:
select * from transactionsYYYY where subject1 like '%nero emperor%';
And obtained the data below:
2005
title subject1 subject2 subject3
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
life and principate of the Emperor Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero the man and the legend Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
life and principate of the Emperor Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero the man and the legend Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the man and the legend Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
2006
title subject1 subject2 subject3 subject4
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
life and principate of the Emperor Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
conspiracy a novel Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Fiction NULL NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
conspiracy a novel Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Fiction NULL NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL NULL
2007:
title subject1 subject2 subject3
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
life and principate of the Emperor Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
life and principate of the Emperor Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero the man and the legend Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
conspiracy a novel Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Fiction NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the man and the legend Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
conspiracy a novel Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Fiction NULL NULL
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
2008:
title subject1 subject2 subject3
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
incoronazione di Poppea Poppaea Sabina Empress consort of Nero Emperor of Rome d 65 Drama NULL NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
2009:
title subject1 subject2 subject3
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the man and the legend Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the man and the legend Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
life and principate of the Emperor Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero the man and the legend Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography NULL
Nero the man and the legend Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography NULL
Nero the end of a dynasty Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
life and principate of the Emperor Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
Nero the man and the legend Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
life and principate of the Emperor Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 NULL
2010:
title subject1 subject2 subject3
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
conspiracy a novel Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Fiction NULL NULL
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
Nero Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Emperors Rome Biography Rome History Nero 54 68
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
great fire of Rome the fall of the emperor Nero and his city Nero Emperor of Rome 37 68 Rome History Nero 54 68 Great Fire Rome Italy 64
While 2008, a year in which everyone was distracted by the election and feeling hopeful about things, did see a marked decline in interest in Nero, it quickly bounced back, and as far as I can tell, the pattern I saw in the Google Ngram is not reflected in the data I obtained from SPL. I did see some patterns, though-- it turns out that the biggest factor in high numbers of Nero-related withdrawals is simply if anything about Nero had been released differently. 2004 saw the release of a new DVD of the opera Incoronazione di Poppea, which carried over into 2005 and 2006. 2010 saw the release of a very well-regarded book on Nero, The Great Fire of Rome: The Fall of the Emperor Nero and His City, which was then withdrawn by many readers over the course of the year.