July 19, 64 A.D. - Emperor Nero Begins Persecuting Christians

On July 19, 64 A.D., Emperor Nero of Rome began a 250 year period of intense persecution against Christians. A great fire began in Rome, for which Nero blamed the Christians, and the Christians blamed Nero in return (historical evidence is inconclusive on who really began this fire). This painting by Russian artist Siemiradzki depicts Nero using believers as human torches, demonstrating the harrowing reality of this time period.