Nero reigned from 54 to AD 68. After the great fire of Rome in July 64, Tacitus says, he deflected rumours of his own guilt by blaming the Christians, whom he had put to death with mockery, some torn by dogs and some burned as torches. Suetonius also mentions punishments of Christians under him.
Christian tradition from 1 Clement and Eusebius onward places the deaths of Peter and Paul in Rome in his reign. Many interpreters connect the number 666 in Revelation with his name, and the legend that he would return haunted later writers.
Where to start
Every mention
8 writings- AD 93Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, Book 20: the death of James, brother of JesusWitnesses Outside the Church1×
- AD 95The Revelation to JohnThe New Testament1×
- AD 100The Second Letter to TimothyThe New Testament1×
- AD 116Tacitus, Annals 15.38–44: the Great Fire and Nero’s punishment of the ChristiansWitnesses Outside the Church11×
- AD 120Suetonius, Life of Claudius 25: the expulsion over “Chrestus”Witnesses Outside the Church2×
- AD 320Eusebius, Church History, Book IIIThe Early Church4×
- 2026The documentary record of Jesus and the movements that interpreted himThe Dossier2×
- 2026Sources and further readingThe Dossier4×