3.75 ( )

This book will represent the preeminent work on the causes and effects of the great fire of Rome in 64.

A noted historian, the author closely analyzes the written accounts left by the three major historians who wrote on the subject, and also addresses subsequent archeological finds. Among the issues addressed are where the fire began, what areas were damaged, what was the cause (probably not Nero) and the aftereffects. I particularly enjoyed the thorough analysis of Nero's alleged persecution of the Christians.

I would have ranked this book even higher except that at times the author dwelt in too much fine detail- for example, his somewhat confusing discussion of the archeological remains of the various structures throughout the city districts.

Highly recommended for those who have an interest in this specific subject. ( )

The great fire of Rome in 64 CE is one of those events that remains embedded in the Western cultural memory. Yet the irony that Anthony Barrett describes in this book is that the things we remember about it, such as Nero fiddling while his capital went up in flames, are false, while we overlook its true — and truly enormous — historical significance.

As Barrett explains, the burning of Rome was an event of lasting historical importance. Over the course of nine days, the blaze devastated the core of Rome itself, killing thousands and gutting numerous homes and public buildings. In its aftermath, Nero (who was not even in Rome when the fire started) began a massive rebuilding campaign that was still underway when he died four years later. Barrett details how it was the legacy of the fire that contributed to his demise, as the enormous expense of the effort led to the stripping of the provinces of the wealth and the devaluing of the currency. Faced with rebellion at his policies, Nero was killed by one of his secretaries on his orders; as Nero died without any surviving children, his demise brought an end to the Julio-Claudian dynasty and inaugurated a new era in Roman history.

As a longtime scholar of of the Julio-Claudian era, Barrett draws upon his familiarity with both the literary and archaeological record to provide his readers with a comprehensive history of the fire and its aftermath. Its coverage is impressive, ranging from his examination of the ancient city's longstanding experiences with fire to the modern-day representations of the event and what they reveal about its perpetuation. Generously illustrated with both photographs and drawings, it makes for an outstanding history of the Great Fire of Rome, one that should be on the reading list of anyone with even a passing interest in Roman history or the history of the great city for which the empire was named. ( )