Nero was actually still popular in Rome during this period, and the masses blamed their problems largely on the senatorial class who were visible in Rome instead of Nero who was out Greek-ing and therefore not visible to them (which was why Helius' extortion was effective). This would be shown later with the popular support Otho gained when he restored Nero's statues, and more so with the rise of the Nero Redivivus cult that expected his triumphal return from the East.