The Nero Persecution

The persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero, which began around 64 AD, marks one of the earliest and most infamous chapters in the history of the early Church.   Nero ascended to the throne in 54 AD, ruling during a time of considerable instability and change within the Roman Empire. His reign was marked by extravagance and a penchant for cruelty, leading to an increasingly tenuous relationship with the Senate and the Roman populace. The Great Fire of Rome in July 64 AD devastated much of the city and left many citizens searching for scapegoats for the disaster. Tacitus, a Roman historian, later recorded that rumors spread that Nero himself had started the fire to clear land for his ambitious building projects. In the wake of the fire, Nero sought to shift the blame onto Christians.

“…To get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Chrestians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judæa, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular.” — Tacitus’ Annals 15.44

The motivations behind Nero’s persecution of Christians can be attributed to several factors. First and foremost, the scapegoating of Christians following the Great Fire of Rome provided a convenient narrative for Nero. By blaming this minority group, he sought to divert attention from his own questionable actions and consolidate his position of power.  Societal tensions contributed to the atmosphere of hostility towards Christians. The early Christians were viewed with suspicion by both pagans and Jews, leading to accusations of being disruptive to the social order. They were perceived as a sect that rejected traditional Roman values, including the veneration of the emperor and the pantheon of Roman gods. Many saw Christianity as a threat to the established cultural and religious norms, which led to accusations rooted in misunderstanding and misinformation.  Christians were labeled as atheists because they refused to worship the Roman gods and the emperor. This rejection of state-sponsored religion was seen as a direct affront to Roman authority and tradition.  Due to the secretive nature of early Christian gatherings and the practice of calling each other “brother” and “sister,” Christians were accused of engaging in incestuous relationships and other immoral behaviors.  The Eucharist, where Christians believed they consumed the body and blood of Christ, was misinterpreted by outsiders as cannibalistic ritual.

Tacitus remains one of the most significant sources regarding the persecution of Christians. His account in Annals (15.44) vividly depicts the tortures inflicted upon Christians, including being dressed in the skins of wild animals and fed to dogs. Suetonius, another Roman historian, provides additional context in The Twelve Caesars, noting that “punishments were inflicted on the Christians, a class of men given to a new and mischievous superstition” (Nero 16).  

Prominent Biblical figures such as Saint Peter and Saint Paul were martyred during this time.  Saint Peter’s martyrdom is referenced by early Church writers, such as Clement of Rome in 1 Clement (c. 96 AD), which states that Peter endured “unspeakable tortures” for the faith.  Several other Christian sources report that Saint Peter and Saint Paul the Apostle both died during the Neronian persecution; Peter by being crucified upside down and Paul by beheading.  Origen of Alexandria and Dionysius of Corinth both mention that Peter was crucified.  As a Roman citizen, Paul was beheaded, a form of execution that was reserved for those of Roman status. His martyrdom is also alluded to by Clement, who notes Paul’s struggles and ultimate sacrifice for the faith.  

For further reading, see “The Rise of Christianity” by Rodney Stark 

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