Great Fire Of Rome.

IN 64 A.D.

• Most Romans believed their emperor set fire, in order for lavish building projects.
• Nero "the emperor" worried about the rumors searched for a scapegoat.
• He soon launched the first major persecution of Christians to turn aside blame.
• Rome experienced major fires periodically throughout its history.
• In less than twenty years later of that incident, three major incidents burnt the city.

THE FIRE IN 64 A.D.

• Proved the worst of the lot.
• Only four of the city's fourteen districts survived.
• It damaged seven districts & completely destroyed three.

Emperor Nero.

• Played his lyre & sang "The Sack Of Illium" during the first fire.
• This song mourned the destruction of Troy.
• Nero was comparing the Trojan tragedy to Rome's.
• Nearly after six days, the fire ended & Nero went back to work.
• He opened his palace to the homeless, providing food, & organized general relief efforts.

NERO'S EXTRAVAGANT DOMUS AUREA.

• The Romans begin blaming him for the fire.
• Romans believed Nero set the fire intentionally to clear space for his palace.
• However, the fire started half a mile away from the construction site, & damaged his palace.
• Rome suffered two other major fires in the years of 69 & 80.

Historians Disagree.

• Historians believes that Nero didn't start the fire.
• However, the rumors did destroy his reputation, & threatened not to be the emperor.
• Nero decided to accuse the Christians of the whole incident.
• Christians made the perfect scapegoat.

The Christians.

• They had no political power.
• Liked public support.
• Suffered from public relations problems
• Disguised themselves with their practices.
• They tended to worship in secret.

Rumors.

• Christians worshiped in secret led to rumors.
• Baptism involved drowning babies.
• Communion was cannibilism.
• When Christians talked about having a "love feast"
• Rumor has it that they are talking about orgies.

Untitled Slide

• Nero used misinformation to turn the Rome against Christians.
• As a result of the misinformation Romans supported Nero's persecutions.
• Rome burnt Christians alive, using their bodies to light the streets at night.
• They unleashed dogs unto people.
• Romans fed Christians to lions & other wild beasts.

In The Persecutions Wake.

• Nero rebuilt Rome& his palace.
• However, Nero's popularity declined & was eventually deposed.
• His Domus Aurea was stripped & rebuilt over by his successors.
• Remnants disappeared by the beginning of second century.
• Nero's persecutions remains a weakness & excesses as a leader.

Works Cited.