Nero Goes Insane

Ancient RomeWritten by Lin Donn

Illustrated by Phillip Martin

The Roman Empire lasted for 500 years.

In the 500 years Rome was an empire, Rome had over 140 different emperors! Emperors had absolute rule. They controlled the government, the military, and the people.

Nero

One of the most famous Roman emperors was Nero.

NeroAt first, the people thought Nero was rather fun. He was always doing crazy things, like racing at the Circus Maximus.

But people did not laugh for long.

While Nero was racing, a new religion sprang up in Rome. It was called Christianity.

Christianity

In Nero’s time, that was against the law. If you did not worship Roman gods, you were a criminal.

Christians believed in one god. They refused to worship the Roman gods.

Nero told his army to hunt down Christians! Once people confessed to

being Christians, they were brought to the Colosseum, another big entertainment center in ancient Rome.

Colosseum

Gladiators! 50,000 Seated Spectators! This is where the ancient

Romans gathered to watch bloody combat between professional fighters called gladiators.

Colosseum

Bloody Battles! Wild Animals!

There were also battles between men and wild animals. Not everyone liked the bloody sports, but many did.

Colosseum

Admission was FREE.

Nero persecuted Christians

Nero ordered Christians to be thrown to the lions as part of the entertainment in the Colosseum.

Nero

NeroIt was right about then that Rome’s leaders began to suspect their emperor was going insane. But they were afraid to do anything about it. Nero was a very powerful emperor.

Nero

Nero was the emperor of Rome. He could send his army out to kill anyone, including members of the Senate and their families.

Nero

As time went on, Nero’s behavior became more and more murderous.

He killed his mother.

He killed his wife.

One day, Nero ordered some of the members of the Senate to kill themselves. That was when they finally took action.

The Senate ordered Nero’s immediate execution.

Nero

When Nero heard about it,he killed himself instead.

Free Clip Art &More Stories

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3.Ancient Rome for Kids

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