Nero. 160 THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP, torian, to whom we are principally indebted for the • knowledge of this singular transaction, would alone be sufficient to recommend it to our most attentive con- sideration. The fire In the tenth year of the reign of Nero, the capital under'the ^^ '^^ empire was afflicted by a fire which raged be- reign of yond the memory or example of former ages^ The monuments of Grecian art and of Roman virtue, the trophies of the Punic and Gallic wars, the most holy temples, and the most splendid palaces, were involved in one common destruction. Of the fourteen regions or quarters into which Rome was divided, four only subsisted entire; three were levelled with the ground, and the remaining seven, which had experienced the fury of the flames, displayed a melancholy prospect of ruin and desolation. The vigilance of government ap- pears not to have neglected any of the precautions which might alleviate the sense of so dreadful a cala- mity. The imperial gardens were thrown open to the distressed multitude, temporary buildings were erected for their accommodation, and a plentiful supply of corn and provisions was distributed at a very moderate priced The most generous policy seemed to have dictated the edicts which regulated the disposition of the streets and the construction of private houses ; and, as it usually happens in an age of prosperity, the conflagration of Rome, in the course of a few years, produced a new city, more regular and more beautiful than the former. But all the prudence and humanity affected by Nero on this occasion, were insufficient to preserve him from the popular suspicion. Every crime might be imrjuted to the assassin of his wife and mo- ther ; nor could the prince who prostituted his person and dignity on the theatre, be deemed incapable of the most extravagant folly. The voice of rumour accused
- Tacit. Annal. xv. 38 — 44 ; Sueton. in Neron. c. 38 ; Dion Cassius,
1. Ixii. p. 1014 ; Orosius, vii. 7. f The price of wheat (probably of the mfldins) was reduced as low as terni luimytii ; which would be equivalent to about fifteen shillings the Eng- lish quarter.
