The Tragedy Of Nero And The Great Fire Of Rome

Tacitus, perhaps the greatest Roman historian, provides us with an account of the fire of Rome.1 It is within this account, recorded in The Annals, that Tacitus mentions Jesus. In chapters 38 through 45 of Annals 15, Tacitus discusses how Nero implicated Christians as those responsible for the fire.

"Let Nero be ever before your eyes, swollen with the pride of a long line of Caesars… an Emperor condemned by his own people… Nero will always be regretted"

The video called Ancient Rome – The Rise and Fall of an Empire “Revolution”, is a documentary that has many series and the first one I began with was featuring the story of Tiberius Gracchus. He is the son of Tiberius Gracchus the Elder and his mother was Cornelia Africana. In the beginning of the video it begins with show Tiberius Gracchus the Elder at his death ceremony he looked ill and quite pale with white foggy eyes with flies flying around him and Rome did a ceremony of his death. Before him was Gracchus sitting in a throne like chair and there were five dancers wearing a molded mask of Tiberius Gracchus the Elder’s face, like studied in class. It was just a big ceremony to remember him, speeches were given and then the cremation of

The Flames of Rome by Paul Maier is a documentary-fiction that has not only brought to life the evolution of Christianity in Rome but has also painted a clear picture of what it was like to live in Rome at the time. Understanding the Roman’s way of life and reasoning behind their actions plays a major role in the reasoning for Maier writing this book. The Flames of Rome is equivalent to reading a textbook but Maier makes it much more enjoyable and intriguing by adding plausible details of his own. Maier’s portrayal of the death of Claudius Caesar, in chapter nine of the novel, closely follows the primary sources of Tacitus and Suetonius but also loosely follows that of the secondary sources. It is important to compare Maier’s version to other

“the events that led to her downfall, which happened alongside that of her son Nero, are extremely difficult to disentangle and contradictory versions have come down in the sources” Barrett

Rome, a grand empire, was known for its bloodshed and wealth, had a powerful period of conquering and culture. But why can an empire so huge and grand, fall to the ashes? Rome was a small settlement around 750 BC, then developed as the wealthy people grew weaker in Greece. Rome gradually expanded, as they conquered lands and made their small settlement into an empire. Even if a grand empire like Rome thrived on, they overcame problems that would lead to their fall. Through the use of primary and secondary source documents, this paper will explore the causes of the Roman Empire's ultimate downfall due to a combination of military problems, unstable government, and natural disasters and disease.

The Roman Empire falling due to disasters and diseases was a theory which was a top three reason for the fall of Rome. Natural disasters and diseases were responsible for many lost lives in Ancient Rome. In Document F, the text stated, “In the second year of the reign of Valens (366 C.E.)... the Roman world was shaken by a violent and destructive earthquake…” This quote represented an example of one of the natural disasters that hit Rome which was a destructive earthquake. This massive earthquake was responsible for the isolation of citizens weakening the Roman Empire. Another example of a deadly natural disaster was also located in Document F. It stated, “[F]ifty thousand persons had lost their lives in the flood [in the city of Alexandria

Although the fall of Rome remains obscure, what many historians fail to realize is that the decline of the Roman Empire was the epitome of cause and effect relationships. Properly analyzing the fall of Rome leads historians to realize that a chain of circumstances, beginning with the political corruption of the Western empire, was a catalyst for superfluous military spending and economic failure, all which contributed to the fall of Rome. Because the Praetorian Guard would select the highest bidder and put him into office, the emperors would not represent the people as a whole and did not instill the beliefs that the people held. In Document 1, Roman Emperors, 235-285, a chart shows the inconsistency of the Roman emperors and the violence

Ancient Rome grew to be one of the greatest empires in the world. Constantly gaining land and wealth, by 200 BCE Rome was a mighty giant, spilling over its borders, no longer an unremarkable settlement, but nothing less than a powerhouse (Primary Reasons for “Fall” of Rome). Sorrowfully, all great things must come to an end. In 5th century BCE ancient Rome shattered: The ferocious beast had fallen (Primary Reasons for “Fall” of Rome). As people recall their knowledge of Rome, a key point always comes back into play. How did Rome crash? Why did the grand empire fall? Three vital troubles led Rome to deteriorate: Rome had an attack of lethal, natural disasters and plagues narrowed its population; Rome’s upper class lost their edge; Rome had

Such acts were unheard of among previous emperors and granted him a power among the general popluace that most emperors would not in see. While largely popular early on, Nero would also use his power to pursue his own accords, including being overly involved in theatrical performances, agreeing to the death sentence of his own mother and taking advantage of the Roman fire to build his own palace and

three of Rome’s district were on fire, starting off with Circus Maximus and spreading out with seven districts severely damaged. At the time Nero was accused of playing the fiddle and singing the Greek epic “The Sack of Ilium” and rumors were passed around that that the emperor had set the city ablaze. When he was confronted about it, he “pointed the finger at the Christians, still a new and underground religion. With this accusation, persecution and torture of the Christians began in Rome” (Bio.com). This event was the decline and fall of the infamous Nero as he tried to rebuild Rome that was burnt down. Soon, there was an assassination plot about him and when he found out it, he executed many senators and officers. Even his closest friends were plotting against him, including Seneca, who committed suicide after being caught. Nero decided to take an extended tour of Greece, so he would not be troubled by all the events happening at home. After taking a tour of Greece, he was a public enemy of his people because of several higher raining officers trying be allies and overthrow him. He tried to escape and find friends and family, but he had none in the end, eventually committing suicide. With the help of a senate to kill him on June 9, 68 A.D., his last words were “What an artist dies in me!” He was the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian

Nero and Tiberius were two leaders who were liked by the public. Both starting their reigns young, Nero and Tiberius accomplished many things. Gaining the public’s eye, Nero gave Claudius a lavish funeral and personally delivered the oration in person. He founded a colony at Antium consisting of praetorian veterans, he gave the public an immense variety of entertainments, and even introduced his own style of architecture. These accomplishments all played a role in how the public adored him. Giving the public positive ideas will gain their trust, but unfortunately, he does not keep their trust. As Nero became older, his accomplishments became less and less, he began turning into someone who was in it for the money. His turning point was when he bankrupted Rome, once this happened Nero was neither trusted or liked.

Nero, who took the throne after his mother poisoned Claudius, the current emperor, ruled from 54 to 68 AD. At first, Nero was the picture-perfect emperor. He lowered taxes, allowed more freedom to the Senate, granted permission to slaves who wanted to sue their unfair owners, and rid Rome of capital punishment. Eventually, Nero

Nero’s rise to power was a “long road full of treachery.” (T.V.) It was also full of change such as his name he was not always know as Nero his name was Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus until his dad had died and his mom married her widowed uncle, who was the emperor of the time, and they changed it to Nero Claudius Divi Claudius Filius Caesar Agustus Germanicus. Later she convinced him to name Nero heir to the throne and allow him take his daughter Octavia as his wife. His adopted brother was reaching age to take the throne but he mysteriously died, “Many suspect that Nero poisoned him.” (biograpy.com, 2017) So, as one can see Nero was a very shady character who would stop at nothing to seize and hold the throne.

Emperor Nero, infamously known as one of the most malevolent, oppressive, and tyrannical leader throughout history, was the last ruler of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. He was born outside Rome in Antium and his mother married his great uncle, Emperor Claudius, in order for her son to be the next Emperor of Rome. It wasn’t apparent that her son was to become one of the most feared and cruel leaders in Roman history from 54 CE to 68 CE. By examining his achievements and failures as an emperor, his influences and changes over the entire economic, political and social spectrum are revealed.