The Burning Of Rome
On July 18, 64AD two-thirds of Rome was burned down. Nero was, at the
time, in Antium. As soon as he heard about the burning, he hurried to Rome
just in time to see the Golden House, the building which he built for himself
on the Palatine Hill, burn down. Suspicions arose that Nero planned the
fire, but no one could say for sure. Because much of Rome was in disrepair,
the city burned quickly, and thousands were killed.
In 65AD the poet Lucan and Seneca formed a conspiracy against Nero.
Nero uncovered their plot and commanded them to kill themselves. Lucan opened
his veins and died reciting his poetry.