Scapegoats of the Empire: Nero, the Fire of Rome, and the First Christian Persecution

When Rome burned, an empire demanded answers. When Nero couldn’t provide them, he found scapegoats instead. This episode tells the gripping true story of the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD and how Emperor Nero turned public rage toward the early Christian community. We’ll unpack what ancient sources really say about the fire, what Romans believed about Christians, and how persecution became imperial policy. It’s a haunting look at how lies spread faster than flames — and how faith survived its first great trial by fire.