Today in History, June 9, 68 AD

Roman Emperor Nero commits suicide, imploring his secretary Epaphroditos to slit his throat to evade a Senate-imposed death by flogging.
The most infamous of Roman Emperors, he ruled Rome from 54 AD until his death. Known for his debaucheries, political murders, persecution of Christians, and his interest in Music, that led to the likely myth that he "fiddled while Rome burned", during the great fire of 64 AD. (History Channel)
Nero ordered the fire set, motivated by a desire to destroy the City so he could bypass the Senate, and rebuild Rome in his own image. (he did exactly what Adolf Hitler did in 1933 when the Reichstag burned. He blamed a religious minority he wished to exterminate, in Nero's case, the Christians--LFR) Nero had already drawn up plans to rebuild the neighborhoods in Greek style, and launch construction of his new Palace, "The Golden House". (Wikipedia)

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