Nero fiddled while Rome burned

This is a modern phrase, based on the view of Roman historians, who accused Nero of starting the Great Fire of Rome himself, in order to build his new Palace.

Dio Cassius
- According to Dio Cassius, Nero sang ‘the Sack of Ilium’ in actor’s dress, whilst watching the Fire burn down Rome.
- This has led to the popular expression today “Nero fiddled while Rome burned”.
  Nero succeeded in getting a confession from the Christians that they had started the Fire deliberately.
- Nero ordered the Christians to be torn apart by dogs, others crucified and some burnt as human torches in his garden at night.
Tacitus
- Tacitus however, contradicts Dio Cassius and states Nero was in Antium, not Rome.
- He says Nero hastily returned to Rome to organise the relief effort, accommodating the homeless in his Palaces.

Domus Aurea
- Nero then built the Domus Aurea, (Golden Villa) an opulent Palace on the burnt out ruins of the houses that had been situated on the Palatine Hill in Rome.
Fire Regulations
- Nero passed new fire regulations, to prevent such a disaster from recurring.
  - the Vigiles Urbani were provided with greater access to water.
  - new houses were to be built of brick.
  - shared walls between newly built properties was forbidden.
  - wide boulevards were created to create gaps to contain a future fire.