Nero, born in AD 37, ascended to the Roman Empire’s throne at 16, succeeding his step-father Claudius. His reign from AD 54 to AD 68 was marked by authoritarianism and extravagant spending, depleting the Roman treasury. Nero’s penchant for public appearances, including acting and music performances involving slaves, further fueled discontent.
In his personal life, Nero married his step-sister Claudia Octavia at 16 but divorced her in AD 62, citing infertility. Octavia’s subsequent exile sparked protests, leading Nero to accuse her of adultery and order her execution. Nero, known for a scandalous love life, engaged in orgies and relationships with both men and women, even defying sacred laws by having relations with a Vestal Virgin 1.
The infamous Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, lasting six days and consuming a significant portion of the city, led to historical debates about Nero’s involvement. While some argued Nero initiated the fire, recent writings by Tacitus suggested otherwise, stating Nero wasn’t in the city when it began 2.
Regardless of the fire’s origins, Nero seized the opportunity to target a new group of perceived enemies: Christians. Tacitus documented Nero’s false accusations against Christians, blaming them for the fire. Christians faced brutal persecution, with Tacitus describing their deaths involving being covered with animal hides, attacked by dogs, crucified, or set on fire 3.
The question arises: Why do Christians emphasize Nero’s actions? The events surrounding Nero serve as a poignant reminder of the early Christian martyrs who endured persecution. The courage displayed by these believers, even in the face of horrific brutality, provides a timeless example for Christians today, echoing the biblical teachings.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
References
- “The Scandalous Love Life of Roman Emperor Nero”. https://medium.com/lessons-from-history/roman-emperor-nero-e98c6470945e ↩︎
- “Did Emperor Nero Really Start the Great Fire of Rome?”. https://www.historyhit.com/did-nero-really-start-the-great-fire-of-rome/ ↩︎
- “Nero Persecutes The Christians, 64 A.D.,” EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (2000) ↩︎
