Persecution under Nero
About this date: Exact years of the apostles' martyrdoms are not certain.
The Roman fire is followed by persecution of Christians in Rome; traditions place the martyrdoms of Peter and Paul in this period.
Perspective note
Shared subject; this bundled record was originally written with an Orthodox-informed editorial lens.
People
- Nero
- Peter
- Paul
Primary sources
The Roman historian Tacitus reports that Nero:
Tacitus reports that Nero blamed and tortured people called Christians after the Roman fire; this passage does not identify Peter or Paul.
inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace
Passage context and translation
After describing the Roman fire and suspicions against Nero, Tacitus says Nero blamed and tortured people called Christians. Tacitus writes later and is hostile to their religion. This passage does not name Peter or Paul or date either apostle's martyrdom.
Before the excerpt
Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and
After the excerpt
Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius