Did Nero Really Fiddle While Rome Burned?
‘Fiddling while Rome burns’ is an accusation flung at every political leader at some point in their career. In this episode, Mary and Charlotte uncover the origins of this phrase and ask: why has it proved so resonant that it has carried through the centuries and right around the world? In 64 CE, a huge fire broke out in Rome. It lasted for over a week and devastated much of the city. Today, what is more famous than the fire itself is what the emperor Nero did while it was going on. He watched - and played his lyre. This story, perhaps more than any other, has given Nero a bad rap, but…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.