Roman emperor Nero is used to getting what he wants. He has grown tired of his wife Octavia, and has become infatuated with Poppea. He succeeds in making Poppea the new empress, but soon he faces opposition from an outraged populace.
Scene 1: Nero is fascinated by a young girl, one of the guests at his palace. Scene 2: Nero's friend learns that her name is Poppeo and plans a meeting with Nero. Scene 3: Nero meets Poppeo. Scene 4: Poppeo, conscious of her power, plans to win the place of the Empress Octavia. Scene 5: Poppeo induces Nero to publicly insult Octavia. Scene 6: Poppeo demands that Nero kill Octavia. Scene 7: Octavia is slain. Scene 8: The populace revolt at the news of her death. Scene 9: Nero sets fire to Rome to quell the uprising. Scene 10: Nero's visions of remorse. Scene 11: Nero kills himself to evade the fury of the people.—Moving Picture World synopsis