The Great Fire

VIII.V.LXIV (August 5, 64 AD)

Dear Diary,

While I was away in the coastal resort of Antium, there was a fire in Rome. I have been hearing rumors that I was the one who ordered the city to be burned. Why would I do that? I may have wanted my Gold Palace but I won’t burn my own empire down just to build it. I would have burnt just the Christians homes with them in it, to build my Palace on their ashes. Furthermore why can’t my people trust me, when I say that I did not create the fire that destroyed more than half of Rome? After all that I've done for them! On another note, all the land has been cleared after the fire and where better place to put my palace than there? I did after all, help them with finding them homes right after the they were displaced and got them food from our neighboring cities, as well as try to stop the fire from spreading more throughout the city. So therefore they can’t be mad at me for wanting to place, my Palace on what is now empty land.

Since my people of Rome have been accusing me of setting fire to the city of Rome, I would have to push the blame towards the Christians, as to take the spotlight away from so there won’t be a revolt since my people seem to dislike me. Oh, the inventive ways of torturing and killing the Christians, how their screams will be music to my ears. Hmm, I wonder what kind of punishment I should award them? Maybe I should dress them up in animal skins and have dogs tear them apart? Maybe burn them alive? Ah! I know I could throw them into a pit with animals to be eaten alive! Or better yet, we could crucify them! What a slow and painful death.

That should do it, I will have to push the blame to the Christians get the people to blame them for losing their houses and businesses. It will make me look like a hero for showing justice against these perpetrators, and I get to be rid of these nuisance of occultist.

Nero Claudius Caesar