Gaius Petronius was a Roman satirist and courtier during the reign of Emperor Nero. Synonyms for the name Gaius Petronius include Petronius Arbiter, Titus Petronius Niger, and simply Petronius. Petronius Arbiter earned his name due to his position as an arbiter elegantiarum, or judge of elegance, in Nero's court. He was known for his luxurious lifestyle and love of the finer things in life. Despite his close association with Nero, Petronius was implicated in a plot against the emperor and ultimately chose to take his own life rather than endure the humiliation of a trial.