On July 18, 64 AD, a devastating fire broke out in the shops and residences surrounding the Circus Maximus in ancient Rome. Many of these structures were made of wood, allowing the flames to spread rapidly and burn with overwhelming intensity. The fire raged out of control, and by some historical accounts, it burned for six days. The destruction was immense—Emperor Nero’s palace was among the structures destroyed, and four of Rome’s fourteen districts were completely consumed by the flames, while at least three others were severely damaged.

In the aftermath, rumors began to circulate that Nero himself had started the fire, with motives ranging from revenge against the Roman Senate to sheer madness. To deflect these accusations, Nero shifted the blame onto the Christians, a growing religious sect in Rome. Under his orders, Christians were rounded up, tortured into confessions, and many were gruesomely executed—some even set on fire to serve as human torches for Nero’s gardens.

Following the fire, Nero implemented a plan to rebuild the city with improved fireproofing. Buildings were reconstructed using masonry and spaced farther apart to prevent future disasters. However, despite these measures, Rome was ravaged by great fires again in 69 AD and 80 AD, underscoring the ongoing vulnerability of the Empire’s capital to fire.

This event, known as the Great Fire of Rome, became a pivotal moment in the city’s history, shaping both urban development and the persecution of early Christians under Nero’s rule.