by Mary Gindling

Created on: November 26, 2009

Tacitus tells us that the Great Fire of Rome started on July 18, AD 64, in the 9th year of the reign of the Emperor Nero. The fire began in the Circus Maximus and quickly spread, destroying roughly two-thirds of the city. Both ancient and modern historians have claimed that Nero played and sang as he watched his city burn. It is quite likely that the story is true.

Nero's Early Reign

The first years of Nero's reign were described by some contemporary writers as a Golden Age. Upon taking the throne, he pledged himself to observe the virtue of mercy, abolished or reduced oppressive taxes, and gave 400 sesterces to every Roman citizen. He reduced government corruption and saw to it that the Treasury was well managed. He also embarked on ambitious and expensive building projects throughout the city.

Nero's Passion for Art

Nero was devoted to the arts and to athletic competitions. He brought Greek-style athletic competitions to Rome, and in AD 59 instituted a series of contests known as "Youth Games. A year later he presided over the Neronis which featured horse racing, athletic events, and competitions in music, public speaking and poetry. He built a gymnasium and an amphitheater. He practiced gymnastics and learned to drive chariots, eventually competing in the athletic games he organized. He admired all things Greek, and studied accounts of the destruction of Troy.

The young emperor worked hard at developing his singing voice, and spent nights practicing with his cithara, an instrument similar to a lute, composed music and poetry, In particular, Nero composed a long epic about the destruction of Troy, and in 59 AD began giving public performances. He also appeared as an actor in several plays, to the delight of the Roman citizens and the dismay of the Senate, whose opinion of actors and musicians was less than kind.

The Great Fire

Nero was at his palace at Antium when word of the fire reached him. He hurried back to Rome and organized attempts to control the spread of the fire. He ordered all public buildings and even the imperial gardens opened to the refugees of the fire and set up tents in the Field of Mars to shelter more victims. He requisitioned food from the surrounding countryside and saw to it that the people were fed. All the while, he was aware of rumors circulating in the city that he was himself responsible for the fire. Finally, there was little for Nero to do but watch as substantial parts of his city burned to the ground.

Why Would Nero

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