Friday, July 18, 2008

Today In History; Great Fire of Rome Begins

64: According to Roman historian Tacitus, the Great Fire began on July 18 in the market district and then spread to the hills, helped by gangs of looters with torches. Tacitus describes the efforts of Emperor Nero to help those left homeless but also mentions the rumor that the mad ruler retired to his private theater to sing and play a stringed instrument while the fire raged.

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