Thomas_More
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While Christians were punished, and punished horribly (Tacitus), for setting fire to Rome, which I believe they did, I don’t think there was apart from that any persecution of Christians by Nero.
AI Overview +22 Yes, the idea that Emperor Nero openly started the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD and “fiddled” while it burned is largely slander and historical myth.Modern historians and the most reliable primary texts reveal a much more nuanced reality:He wasn’t even in Rome: When the fire broke out, Nero was 35 miles away at his villa in Antium.He aided the victims: Upon hearing the news, Nero rushed to Rome and organized extensive relief efforts. He opened his own palaces and gardens to shelter the homeless and imported emergency food to prevent starvation.He rebuilt the city safely: He enacted progressive new fire codes for rebuilding, widening streets and requiring buildings to be constructed with brick and fire-resistant materials rather than dense timber.The “fiddle” myth: The violin hadn’t been invented yet. The legend likely stems from a story that Nero sang about the destruction of Troy while wearing theatrical attire upon hearing the news of the tragedy.Where did the rumor come from?The slander was largely generated by his political enemies, namely Roman senators who despised his populist policies, and early Christian historians who viewed him as the ultimate villain due to his persecution of their communities.Nero’s lavish construction of his private palace, the Domus Aurea, on land cleared by the fire further fueled public suspicion that he had set the blaze for personal gain. Facing severe public outrage over the rumors, Nero deflected blame onto the Christians, leading to their infamous persecution.For a deeper dive into the original historical texts (like Tacitus and Suetonius) and why this rumor took off, you can explore the Britannica analysis on the topic or this detailed Quora thread breaking down Nero’s actual actions during the tragedy.
The Myth of Persecution.
Very respected atheist academic says there is more evidence for an historical Jesus than there is for Josephus. 😂😂😂
In 1998 my mother went into hospital for a serious operation. The world cup was on. In a hospital, where people need rest, a TV was blaring the football in each ward at full volume.
I visited my father in a nursing home. The world cup was on. It was blazing hot summer and the TVs were on in every room full blast with the football on, blasting the elderly dribbling half conscious in their chairs, all windows closed.
After a dramatics rehearsal our theatre troupe went for a quiet drink, until football maniacs came in – the noise so powerful it was a hurricane. I had to write on a piece of paper – as vocalising was impossible – to let the other people know I was feeling ill and had to leave.
My TV shows are cancelled again tonight. How is this live and let live?
Do you tell your football friends why you don’t like international football, and explain you are a world socialist? Don’t they laugh and mock?
The God Who Wasn’t There.
Of course, when people say “the Catholic Church” prior to 1054 they should be aware that what they mean is the Orthodox Church – the Athanasian Church, which emerged the victor from the early Christian controversies.
The Roman Catholic Church did not become independent until 1054. The popes participated in the Church councils but they were not in charge of them, although prominent.
