It was a warm summer night in July the citizens of Rome were getting ready to call it a night, closing up the shops and cleaning the streets. It seemed like just another night until fire shot through the streets and shops lining the Circus Maximus, Rome’s huge chariot stadium. This was nothing unusual to the two million inhabitants of Rome because the sweltering summer heat was known to cause these types of flare ups. However it soon became obvious that this was not your average fire. This fire raged for six days before it came under control. Then the fire mysteriously reignited and burned for an additional three days. When the smoke finally cleared, the aftermath was terrible. Ten of Rome’s fourteen districts had been ruined and the eight hundred year old temple of Jupiter Strator and Atrium Vestae, the hearth of the Vestal Virgins were destroyed. Two thirds of Rome was virtually incinerated. The blame immediately fell on Emperor Nero, not only was he miles away from Rome in Antium, a coastal resort but it is claimed that he sang and fiddled while the great Empire burned to ashes. In addition when the fire finally cease, Nero returned to build his “Domus Aurea” or Golden House. Before the fire there was no place to put this house, therefore burning the shops and homes down would make way for the selfish emperor’s home. To add insult to injury some citizens claimed that guards prevented them from extinguishing the flames and threatened torture if their attempts did not cease. Rome had to rebuild itself in the wake of this tragic fire, there was no emperor to help them, Nero was only concerned with himself. Despite these challenges Rome persevered and rebuilt beautifully.
Looking Back : The Top Stories of the Last Fourteen Years 54AD - 68AD
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Ignis Magnus Romae 64AD
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Momena Persaud