The first time I learned of Emperor Nero fiddling while Rome burned was from a Bugs Bunny cartoon (which is also where I first heard classical music!). What I didn’t know was this was the very beginning of Roman persecution of Christians that would not end for almost 250 years until Constantine came to power. July 19, 64 is when a great fire occurred Christians got the blame. This painting by Russian artist Siemiradzki depicts Nero using believers as human torches – which was NOT on Bugs Bunny.
