Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Jekyll Island Beach 2012

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Nero Fiddled While Rome Burned

The Rogue Speaks:



That is actually what many citizens of Rome said!! It was year 64, and the fire broke out in the southeast corner of the Circus Maximus.  It quickly spread through all the shops, and the conflagration lasted for the better part of a week.  Then it started up again and lasted for about a month, totally destroying 10 of the 14 districts in which the city had been divided.

Many people believed that Nero was responsible, because he wanted to be able to compare the current downfall of Rome to that of Troy.  Nothing he could do could remove the suspicion that "the emperor had fiddled while Rome burned."  Even the plebes, who had been staunch supporters, decided they didn't like him so much any more.  This was especially true when they found out that his plans to rebuild the city included a very large portion that he designated as strictly his!

As his popularity started circling the porcelain bowl, Nero realized that he had better find someone to blame for the destruction.  "I've got it!" he cried. "Let's blame the Christians!  People already don't like them because they won't worship me!  They're the perfect scapegoats!"

It just so happened that Peter and Paul were visiting the Christians in Rome at the time, for a secret revival, so the Romans snatched them up, and took them to Nero's circus near the Mons Vaticanus.  Everyone was invited to  "Torture The Christians Night."

Things didn't exactly turn out the way Nero planned, though.  Peter and Paul were exposed to wild animals, smeared with pitch and set on fire, and the event was so grisly that the people began to feel sorry for the two Christians.  Later, Peter was crucified upside down on the Vatican hill, and Paul's head was cut off.

After seeing all the horrible torture, the people became convinced that Nero actually did set that fire, so his little plan to blame it on the Christians backfired.  The people decided, "what a sick freak!"  His popularity plummeted, and that, my friends, is that!!


America has its own Circus Maximus going on right now, and the star of the show just night be related to Nero.  Hopefully, the "plebes" will realize just what a narcissistic con-man the current "Nero" is and have a change of heart about helping him to ascend the throne.  We don't need his kind trying to rule America like Nero ruled Rome. 


So far, this week has been an excellent example of the players in "Lord of the Flies."  Things will change next week, though, when the real adults begin their convention in Philly.


27 comments:

Annesphamily said...

Judie, I came over to talk to you about that Cold Stone ice cream....LOL!
I like the post! We watch Spartacus because our son will graduate in May with a double degree one of them being History and the program is actual very historically correct. Those Romans were something else! So vain! I like that you think out of the box!

Unknown said...

I always get to learn stuff when I make it over to read your blogs... love it!

Cher Duncombe said...

Such an interesting story, Judie. I really didn't know all of that so I feel as though I've had a well-taught history lesson. I learn something new here all the time too. Imagine what you influence could be if you were not such a benevolent soul!

Jenny said...

History is so interesting. Nice post. xo Jenny

JANU said...

This is the first time I am hearing this...nice story.

anitamombanita said...

I was absolutely convinced that this was going to be a current political commentary. Just shows to go ya that I know nothing. Great post... and...I still think there is a political commentary in there somewhere...

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

I knew about Nero fiddling, but I didn't know about the Peter/Paul connection. BTW, Keillor is darling...

21 Wits said...

Oh what a marvelous story you weaved for so neatly...you have thrown us in the throngs of such a tale long ago...that mostly was unknown ...and all with that song on the edge of my reading ..wanting to just follow the words of it.....! Great N post...I just barely got mine in too! A way too busy week!

Gattina said...

Yes he was a mad man ! Unfortunately this kind of man exist even today in some countries ! They probably don't fiddle anymore but listen to their MP3 while people are shot, bombed and tortured.

Unknown said...

I guess he shouldn't have fiddled with his people.

Unknown said...

I guess he shouldn't have fiddled with his people.

Joann Mannix said...

Hello dear friend. So sorry I've been absent. I've been querying and then on vacation and well...it's been hectic mayhem to say the least.

I don't want to jinx anything but I've had a few agents asking to see my work. May be nothing. We'll see what time brings.

I love your N lesson. Especially, now during the Lenten season. Yes, Nero was a sick freak as were so many of them during the day.

Okay, off to see something I should have looked at a long time ago, a little birdie told me there's a picture of me on this here blog.

Susan Anderson said...

"As his popularity started circling the porcelain bowl..."

This made me laugh out loud.

=D

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Not fair, Sue took my line, and I to laugh out loud. Great story Judie!

Ames said...

My goodness Nero was one Nasty man! I too also learn so much from you!~ Great story my dear!~Ames

Splendid Little Stars said...

like Sue said! clever you are!

Nero was quite the fiddler. What a mess he made of things. Politics never completely changes, does it?

ChrisJ said...

Excellent post. I enjoyed reading it.

from my wicked ways to turning a phrase said...

Love historical "stories" thanks for posting

Pondside said...

That was great 'Roman History for Dummies'....it could be a big hit if you expanded it a little and made it available in campus bookstores.

Debt Management said...

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Sarah said...

That crazy and cruel tyrant! I'm glad his plan backfired.

Cheryl D. said...

Very interesting! I knew next to zero about Nero and the fire!

It's amazing how horribly violent history is though!

Jenny said...

Nero. Such an interesting fellow.

I thought this was going to be political but you surprised me, girl!

Love this little historical approach to Alphabe-Thursday's leter "N"!

You make me smarter every time I visit you!

Hugs and A+

Along These Lines ... said...

Ah yes, the year 64. Not a very good year.

Anonymous said...

I knew about Peter's unpleasant demise, but not Paul's. Very informative post Judie, and as part of an Alphabe-Thursday round of visits I found this fascinating!
Lovely to meet you here.

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