History is filled with tragic examples of cities going up in flames. among the first recorded major fire disasters is the burning of rome in july of 64 a. d. a fire broke out in one of the wooden shops near the circus maximus, a large stadium. the fire raged for six days before it was brought under control. then it started again and burned for three more days. accounts of the time report that strong winds fanned the flames. in the narrow streets, the fire spread quickly, causing many deaths.
the role of emperor nero is a side story to this great fire. according to a famous myth, “nero fiddled while rome burned.” he was accused of being outside the city, playing music while watching the fire. although nero was known as an entertainer, the thought that he might sing a ballad of rome’s destruction at such a time seems unlikely. in fact, nero was hailed for his response to the fire. his actions included opening his royal gardens and surviving public buildings to the homeless. he also directed the rebuilding of rome. following the fire, builders relied on marble and stone for rebuilding the city.
what can you conclude about the large number of deaths in the rome fire?
emperor nero was away from the city and unable to people escape.
the shops burned quickly, and people had a hard time leaving the city.
people were lost in their own neighborhoods.
it was a hot summer day, and people were asleep.