The first palace built by Rome’s notorious emperor, Nero, reopened to the public this spring after an extensive renovation. But though the Domus Transitoria (or Transit House) was originally built to be a place of opulence and splendor, visitors must descend underground to view the rooms and garden site. They’ve been covered over by other buildings and debris as the centuries have passed.
Nero was born in the year A.D. 37—when Jesus’ disciples were beginning to spread His church. The boy Nero was adopted by his great-uncle, Emperor Claudius, becoming his heir. Historians believe Nero and his mother dishonestly manipulated Claudius to gain the emperor’s favor. Nero’s mother is also believed to have plotted—and achieved—Claudius’ death so that her son could rule the Roman world.
Nero was a tyrant who lived to excess and extravagance, even at the cost of others’ lives and well-being. He ruled from A.D. 54 to his death at age 30 in A.D. 68. Even his contemporaries criticized the Domus Transitoria for its opulence. It stood atop Palatine Hill and featured inlaid marble, fresco-painted walls and ceilings, and trimmings of gold and precious gems. Alfonsina Russo is the general manager of the Colosseum archaeological park nearby. He says, “Nero wanted an atmosphere that expressed his ideology, that of an absolute ruler, an absolute monarch.”
But in stark contrast to the one True King that had so recently walked the Earth before Nero’s rise to power, Nero was cruel, selfish, and destructive.
In A.D. 64, a great fire broke out in Rome. It swept through the city, burning for about a week. Historians now believe Nero himself likely caused the fire. But he blamed Christians for it, creating hatred and suspicion for the new believers among Roman citizens. He is remembered for persecuting Christians, as if his efforts could end the new faith. But even the ruler of the Roman world could not extinguish the Holy Spirit who was growing Christ’s kingdom.
Nero returned to ash and dust, taking his pride and cruelty with him. And so did Nero’s “opulent” palace, which he built as a monument to his short-lived power. It took more than a decade for restorers even to make that monument to the “absolute monarch” accessible again.
But the love and mercy of a humble Savior who triumphed over death produces something that will never fade or decay. The Apostle Peter wrote to believers in Rome. He encouraged them in the face of the upcoming persecution that, unlike Nero’s temporary palace, they were “being built up as a spiritual house” that would endure forever. (1 Peter 2:5)
Wow, I had no idea that Nero
Wow, I had no idea that Nero's palace was still around. This is kinda cool.
Wow.
I never new that that still existed! Has antone heard of Story Keepers? you can youtube it it is animated for young children and it is about the christians at this time.
I personally enjoy them very much.
That's really cool!
That's really cool!
I would love to visit this
I would love to visit this palace one day. I love history and I think it's one of the most interesting subjects in school. If you like history as well, then you'd probably like this youtube channel!
https://m.youtube.com/user/Webzwithaz?itct=CBoQ6p4EIhMI6eTHkM6U4wIViUQwC...
Brenna G
It's so hard to imagine what it would be like to be a Christian under the reign of Emperor Nero, although I do know that it helped to strengthen their faith, and many more people came to Christ because of the persecution then they would have if all was peaceful. I'm not sure why, but persecution always does that.
I also enjoy history, but I'm not sure I'd want to tour the palace of a man who killed so many Christians.
I'm glad persecution can
I'm glad persecution can never destroy Christianity, because there will always be persecution until Christ returns.
Phillip G
I love history too! Brenna, I agree with you.
Great Fire
Did Nero really burn down alot of rome to build his palace?
Brenna
@August A, nobody can really prove that Nero set the fire at all. There are 2 theories: that he set the fire so he could rebuild the Senate and his palace his way, and that the Christians living in Rome did it.
The second theory was projected by Nero himself after the fire, which started on July 19, 64 A.D, to disband the rumours that he was the one that started it. (And probably also because he hated the believer's) What followed was immense persecution of the Christians, in which time both Peter and Paul were killed by him, as well as several others.
Does that answer your question?
@ Phillip G.
I like history too!
@August A
Actually, I think and believe that Nero set Rome on fire. After the fire, since there was talk and rumors that he might have set the city ablaze, he covered it up by saying that the Christians had started the fire. Since there were many people who didn't like or appreciate the Christians, this led to the persecution and the deaths of many Christians as a result.
It's Obvious!
Nero started the fire!!
#1 Why would a true Christian set fire to a city full of pagan worshipers?!!
#2 And then die for it?
#3 Nero was a murderer and a thief.
So it could have only been him!
I also heard that Nero killed
I also heard that Nero killed his mother shortly after he was made emperor...
To Above
yes I read that to...
i think that NEro set Rome on fire!
i totally agree.... a long time ago i read a couple christian books about this...
oops...
*Nero
mo g
*sits quietly in the croner with black cloak on taking in all information*
@ Livia
do you remember what they were called?
It is really interesting to
It is really interesting to hear about places where emperors lived.
I don't like at all what Nero
I don't like at all what Nero did to Christian's. I heard of this guy, I am pretty sure it was Nero, who dipped Christian's in tar, then hung them on wooden poles wrapped them up with something(I think he wrapped them up in something but I can't remember to well) and then set them on fire to burn like lamps or torches so people could see where they were walking. And people who weren't Christians loved watching this like it was a show. Other times people were put into arenas were wild animal would kill them. And the people just loved watching it. It made me sad. I would never take pleasure in watching it.
To above
Yes.. all that is true...I cant imagine how evil you could be to like those kind of things!
@Nadia
I am glad to hear. I wasn't sure. Thx
To above
here these are really good christian video's thet me see if the link will work then i'll tell you.....
https://alpl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/default/search/results?qu=torchl...
@ Lorelei E
ok. it worked. so scroll to the one that seas the perpetua story it's about the early church in the time of nero it's for chlidren though then you can put your library card # and pin (if you have one) and click download. then it might ask you to create a hoopla account if you don't have on already. it's free. then you can watch it. The link it from my library. it's a safe link.
Is Perpetua the lady that
Is Perpetua the lady that denied that she was faithful to the other gods and was put into an arena with her friend who was her servant, which the servant had had a child the day before, and the wild animals killed them? Tell me if I am right because I think I watched an animated show of it.
@Nadia
Also, I have a library card and pin.
@ Lorelei E
Yes. that's right. did you click on the link? if you do theirs a bunch more of the same series like... Amy Carmichael, corrie ten boon, Adoniram Judson,William booth and a LOt more pleas tell if you have seen them!
@ Lorelei E
yes but the animals did not kill them the solders did.
@Nadia
I didn't click on the link. And sorry for the mistake, when I watched it was awhile back. Thx for the correction.
To Above
oh no. I was just telling you the rest of the story. I was not trying to correct you.
You can click on the link it's totally safe. but if you can't that's ok.
@Nadia
Ok. Thx
@ Lorelei E
also read this articul https://teen.wng.org/node/2585
@Nadia
Really cool. I have actually seen something just like this on the internet. I would be dead afraid of falling. It would be so scary missing your step or someone falling on you. Or losing a sibling. I commented 2 comments on it so that now it is at 100 comments.
@Nadia
Thx 4 > ; > :::€
@Nadia
I was trying to say, " Thx for sending it to me". But with all the symbols. Jsyk
@ Lorelei E
your Welcome! clad you like it ; )
@Nadia
Ya. I really appreciate you taking time out of your to send me really cools links. Thx
@Nadia A
I have seen the Eric Liddle and Richard Wurmbrand Torchlighters
@ Loreleie E
your welcome!
@ Beth
you can watch all of them here https://alpl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/default/search/results?qu=torchl...
ThATS THE RONG LINK!
https://alpl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/default/search/results?qu=torchl...
this is the right one
https://alpl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/default/search/results?qu=torchl...
@Nadia
Thx for sharing the link
To Above
Welcome!
@Nadia A
Thx.
@Nadia
I have actually watched some of the torchlighters episodes, but very many. It is cool that many people watch them.
@ Lorelei E
nice!
@Nadia
Ya
That's so cool! One of my
That's so cool! One of my favorite audiobooks is called Beric the Briton by G. A. Henty. It's really good you guys should listen to it. It involves Nero.