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 Nero
now tried to make it appear that Rome was his favorite abode. He gave
feasts in public places as if the whole city were his own home. But
the most prodigal and notorious banquet was given by Tigellinus. To
avoid repetitious accounts of extravagance, I shall describe it, as
a model of its kind. The entertainment took place on a raft constructed
on Marcus Agrippa's lake. It was towed about by other vessels, with
gold and ivory fittings. Their rowers were degenerates, assorted according
to age and vice. Tigellinus had also collected birds and animals from
remote countries, and even the products of the ocean. On the quays
were brothels stocked with high-ranking ladies. Opposite them could
be seen naked prostitutes, indecently posturing and gesturing.
At nightfall
the woods and houses nearby echoed with singing and blazed with
lights. Nero was already corrupted by every lust, natural and unnatural.
But he now refuted any surmises that no further degradation was
possible for him. For a few days later he went through a formal
wedding ceremony with one of the perverted gang called Pythagoras.
The emperor, in the presence of witnesses, put on the bridal veil.
Dowry, marriage bed, wedding torches, all were there. Indeed everything
was public which even in a natural union is veiled by night.
Disaster followed.
Whether it was accidental or caused by a criminal act on the part
of the emperor is uncertain - both versions have supporters. Now
started the most terrible and destructive fire which Rome had ever
experienced. It began in the Circus, where it adjoins the Palatine
and Caelian hills. Breaking out in shops selling inflammable goods,
and fanned by the wind, the conflagration instantly grew and swept
the whole length of the Circus. There were no walled mansions or
temples, or any other obstructions, which could arrest it. First,
the fire swept violently over the level spaces. Then it climbed
the hills - but returned to ravage the lower ground again. It outstripped
every counter measure. The ancient city's narrow winding streets
and irregular blocks encouraged its progress.
Terrified,
shrieking women, helpless old and young, people intent on their
own safety, people unselfishly supporting invalids or waiting for
them, fugitives and lingerers alike - all heightened the confusion.
When people looked back, menacing flames sprang up before them or
outflanked them. When they escaped to a neighboring quarter, the
fires followed - even districts believed remote proved to be involved.
Finally, with no idea where or what to flee, they crowded onto the
country roads, or lay in the fields. Some who had lost everything
- even their food for the day - could have escaped, but preferred
to die. So did others, who had failed to rescue their loved ones.
Nobody dared fight the flames. Attempts to do so were prevented
by menacing gangs. Torches, too, were openly thrown in, by men crying
that they acted under orders. Perhaps they had received orders.
Or they may just have wanted to plunder unhampered.
Nero was at
Antium. He returned to the city only when the fire was approaching
the mansion he had built to link the Gardens of Maecenas to the
Palatine. The flames could not be prevented from overwhelming the
whole of the Palatine, including his palace. Nevertheless, for the
relief of the homeless, fugitive masses he threw open the Field
of Mars, including Agrippa's public buildings, and even his own
Gardens. Nero also constructed emergency accommodation for the destitute
multitude. Food was brought from Ostia and neighboring towns, and
the price of corn was cut to less than ¼ sesterce a pound. Yet these
measures, for all their popular character, earned no gratitude.
For a rumor had spread that, while the city was burning, nero had
gone on his private stage and, comparing modern calamities with
ancient, had sung of the destruction of Troy.
By the sixth
day enormous demolitions had confronted the raging flames and bare
ground and open sky, and the fire was finally stmped out at the
foot of the Esquiline Hill. But before panic had subsided, or hope
revived, flames broke out again in the more open regions of the
city. Here there were fewer casualties; but the destruction of temples
and pleasure arcades was even worse. This new conflagration caused
additional ill-feeling because it started on Tigellinus' estate
in the Aemilian district. For people believed Nero was ambitious
to found a new city to be called after himself.
Of Rome's
fourteen districts only four remained intact. Three were leveled
to the ground. The other seven were reduced to a few scorched and
mangled ruins.
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