It is the year 64 AD, and Nero rules the Roman Empire. In the wake of a Great Fire that blazes through the city, Nero finds an unwitting scapegoat to draw the blame of angry Romans: a mysterious, distrusted religious minority known as the Christians. A legendary tale of cruelty unfolds as Nero unleashes a violent purge of the Christians upon the city.  

A story from ancient Rome (64 AD), based on Tacitus' Annals (Book 15) and Suetonius' Life of Nero, featuring: Nero, St. Peter, St. Paul   

Special thanks to Anchises for contributing this story!   

Hear about another of Nero's infamous crimes in the story, "How Nero  Killed His Mother: The Death of Agrippina." 

---

FREE COMMENTARY PODCASTS now available for every story on the channel! Learn more about the ancient historical and cultural context behind each Wine-Dark Sea tale. Find the full archive of videos and MP3s at: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/winedarksea/shop⁠

---

CREDITS: Music by Scott Buckley 

Episode Thumbnail Image: The Christian Martyrs' Last Prayer (Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1883) 

WDS Logo Image: Kylix with Apollo playing the lyre and pouring a libation (c. 470 BC, Delphi Archeological Museum)