Living Torches: Nero’s Infamous Plan to Punish the Christians
Rome burned, and amidst the chaos, a sadistic emperor blamed Christians and devised a twisted plan that horrified even the most jaded Romans.
The year was 64 AD, and Rome was ablaze. The Great Fire of Rome was one of the deadliest disasters in the city’s history, destroying thousands of homes, temples, and public buildings. The fire raged for days, causing widespread panic and chaos.
Amid the destruction, a rumor began circulating that the emperor Nero himself had started the fire. According to some accounts, Nero was seen playing his lyre and singing as the city burned, seemingly indifferent to the suffering of his people.
To deflect blame from himself, Nero pointed the finger at a small religious group known as the Christians. Although the Christians were not well-known or influential then, they quickly became the scapegoats for the disaster.
Nero’s reign of terror: the brutal crackdown on the Christians
Nero’s accusation against the Christians was not taken lightly. The emperor launched a brutal crackdown on the religious group, arresting and torturing many members.
