The Great Fire of Rome

In “Deadly Confrontation,” we learn that the apothecary, Aspasia, having no children, had been a second mother to Katerina, the murdered woman, ever since she arrived from Rome two years ago. Katerina’s parents had had a shop near the southern turn of the Circus Maximus. They were killed and their shop destroyed when the Great Fire swept through much of the city.

The Great Fire began on July 19, 64 CE. It started in the merchant shops around Rome's chariot stadium, the Circus Maximus. After six days, the fire was brought under control, but before the damage could be assessed, the fire reignited and burned for another three days. In the aftermath, nearly three quarters of Rome had been destroyed.

Nero, having blamed the devastation on the Christian community, initiated the Empire's first persecution against them. Other contemporary historians blamed Nero's incompetence, but it is commonly agreed by historians nowadays that Rome was too densely populated and inadequately prepared to deal effectively with large scale disasters, including fires. In other words, such an event was inevitable.

Orphaned by the Great Fire, Katerina came to Alexandria to restart her life. Fortunately, you can come to Alexandria without having to start over. All you need to do is click here.