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Nero’s passion for performance may have inspired the legend that he ‘fiddled as Rome burned’

© Alamy

The adage goes that ‘history is written by the victors’, but it’s also often written by the vindictive. Having an axe to grind is a tremendous incentive to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, as the comment sections of most news and social media sites today can attest. The further back in time we go the more we are left to rely on the records of the victors and vengeful alike to impart the truth of things. So it is with Rome and the reign of Emperor Nero. Portrayed as one of the greatest monsters to ever hold the office, there are few who have a kind word to say about him. But is this fair? Is there evidence in other records or in the construction of Rome itself that tells a different story of this ruler?