Great Fire of Rome

Roman history [64 ce]

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July 22, 2026

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The Great Fire of Rome occurred in 64 CE, devastating a significant portion of the city. While Emperor Nero was away at the time, he was widely blamed by the populace for starting the fire to clear land for his opulent Golden House. To deflect blame, Nero accused the Christians, initiating the first major Roman persecution of the group.1

Following the fire, Nero implemented new urban planning ideas, rebuilding streets and encouraging the construction of more fire-resistant buildings. This period also saw the construction of Nero's lavish Golden House. Despite these efforts, the fire and subsequent rebuilding efforts, along with Nero's extravagant spending and perceived tyranny, contributed to his eventual downfall.21

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Did Nero Really Fiddle as Rome Burned?
…did Nero actually fiddle while Rome burned? In strictest terms, no. In slightly less strict terms, probably not. In very loose terms, perhaps so.
Read More
…did Nero actually fiddle while Rome burned? In strictest terms, no. In slightly less strict terms, probably not. In very loose terms, perhaps so.
Read More

Nero
Artistic pretensions and irresponsibility
The great fire that ravaged Rome in 64 illustrates how low Nero’s reputation had sunk by this time. Taking advantage of the fire’s destruction, Nero had the city reconstructed in the Greek style and began building a prodigious palace—the Golden House—which, had it been finished, would…
Read More
The great fire that ravaged Rome in 64 illustrates how low Nero’s reputation had sunk by this time. Taking advantage of the fire’s destruction, Nero had the city reconstructed in the Greek style and began building a prodigious palace—the Golden House—which, had it been finished, would…
Read More