Ancient History: Rome If You Want To, Nero Persecutes Christians (EP2) - Drive Thru History

Summary

The script discusses the infamous fire of Rome, traditionally blamed on Emperor Nero, who is said to have used the catastrophe to build the opulent Domus Aurea. To divert blame, Nero scapegoated Christians, sparking the first state-sponsored persecution. Historian Tacitus documented the brutal treatment of Christians, who were accused of various crimes, including cannibalism and atheism. Despite the horrific persecution, the Christians' steadfast faith in the face of torture garnered sympathy and attention, inadvertently aiding the spread of Christianity. The script also mentions the martyrdom of prominent apostles Peter and Paul. Nero's legacy as one of Rome's worst emperors remains, ending with his suicide.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The Great Fire of Rome is often attributed to Emperor Nero, who is suspected of starting it to clear land for his Golden House.
• 🏰 Nero's Golden House, known as Domus Aurea, was built on the land he claimed after the fire, showcasing his opulence and ambition.
• 🎭 Nero accused the Christians of starting the fire as a scapegoat, which led to the first major state-sponsored persecution of Christians in Rome.
• 🕊️ Christians were already viewed with suspicion due to their refusal to worship Roman gods and were accused of cannibalism and atheism.
• 📜 The Roman historian Tacitus documented the persecution of Christians in his 'Annals', describing the false accusations and brutal punishments they faced.
• ✝️ The persecution included gruesome executions such as crucifixion, being torn apart by dogs, and being set on fire as human torches.
• 😔 Despite the persecution, sympathy grew for the Christians as they endured torture without renouncing their faith, highlighting their conviction.
• 👥 Among the notable martyrs was the Apostle Peter, who was crucified upside down, and the Apostle Paul, who was beheaded as a Roman citizen.
• 📈 The persecution paradoxically helped spread Christianity, as the steadfastness of the believers in the face of torture brought attention to their beliefs.
• 🤔 The willingness of the apostles to die for their faith is seen by many Christians as evidence of the truth of the resurrection of Jesus.
• 🔪 Nero's reign ended in infamy; he committed suicide after an assassination plot was discovered, leaving a legacy as one of Rome's worst emperors.

Q & A

What is the widely held belief about the Great Fire of Rome?

The widely held belief, supported by many historians, is that Nero himself was responsible for the Great Fire of Rome, despite it never being officially proven.

What did Nero do after the Great Fire of Rome?

After the fire, Nero commandeered large portions of Rome's scorched land to construct the Domus Aurea, an opulent palace, which became one of the biggest and most luxurious in the known world.

Who did Nero blame for the fire to appease the Roman populace?

Nero blamed the Christians as a scapegoat to appease the general Roman populace.

What was the consequence of blaming the Christians for the fire?

Blaming the Christians led to the first great outbreak of state-sponsored persecution against them, which lasted for several years.

Why were the Christians considered a nuisance by the Romans?

The Christians were considered a nuisance due to accusations of cannibalism for consuming the Lord's Supper and atheism for refusing to bow to the Roman gods, including the Caesar.

Which Roman historian mentioned the persecution of Christians in his writings?

The ancient Roman historian Tacitus mentioned the persecution of Christians in his Annals.

What did Tacitus write about the Christians in his Annals?

Tacitus wrote that Nero falsely accused and executed Christians with exquisite punishments for their supposed abominations, and that this persecution was not only in Judea but also in Rome.

How did the persecution of Christians affect public opinion towards them?

The persecution, while brutal, backfired as it generated growing sympathy for the suffering Christians and brought their beliefs into the limelight.

What is significant about the martyrdom of the Apostles according to Christian tradition?

According to Christian tradition, the martyrdom of the Apostles, who were eyewitnesses to Jesus' resurrection, is a strong argument for the truth of their claims, as they were willing to die for what they knew to be true.

How did the Apostle Peter and Apostle Paul die during Nero's persecution?

Apostle Peter was crucified upside down, considering himself unworthy of the same death as Jesus. Apostle Paul, being a Roman citizen, was beheaded instead of being crucified.

What was Nero's end and how is he remembered in history?

Nero committed suicide by stabbing himself in the throat after hearing of an assassination plot. His legacy is that of one of Rome's worst Caesars.