1. Nero Allegedly Played the Fiddle While Rome Burned
One of the most enduring myths surrounding Nero is that he casually played his fiddle, oblivious, as Rome burned in 64 AD. Interestingly, the fiddle didn’t even exist at the time; instead, Nero reportedly played the lyre. Historical accounts from Tacitus and Suetonius suggest Nero was away from Rome when the fire began but returned quickly, arranging relief efforts afterward.
Nevertheless, this vivid image of Nero selfishly performing music amid his people’s suffering became symbolic of his cruelty and detachment. The tale, despite its questionable authenticity, has forever cemented Nero’s reputation as Rome’s most notoriously callous emperor.
