Nero is most remembered as the emperor who 'fiddled while [[Great Fire of Rome|Rome burned]]', but this is considered to be more urban legend than fact. The legend is largely due to Nero's commissioning of a palace for himself in the area that burned leading to many rumors of Nero starting the fire. Contemporary sources however credit Nero with trying to put out the fire. Afterward, when he needed a scapegoat for the fire, he blamed the Christians, who were unpopular because of their failure to believe in the Roman gods and their suspected disloyalty. After the fire he introduced laws to ensure wide streets, to prevent the spread of fires in the future. | Nero is most remembered as the emperor who 'fiddled while [[Great Fire of Rome|Rome burned]]', but this is considered to be more urban legend than fact. The legend is largely due to Nero's commissioning of a palace for himself in the area that burned leading to many rumors of Nero starting the fire. Contemporary sources however credit Nero with trying to put out the fire. Afterward, when he needed a scapegoat for the fire, he blamed the Christians, who were unpopular because of their failure to believe in the Roman gods and their suspected disloyalty. After the fire he introduced laws to ensure wide streets, to prevent the spread of fires in the future. |