Who was blamed for starting the fire in Rome?

Who was blamed for starting the fire in Rome?

• A. Christians
• B. Jews
• C. Romans
• D. Greeks

Answer: (A)

Scapegoating after a disaster is what this item is illustrating. After the Great Fire of Rome, Emperor Nero blamed the Christians, casting them as responsible for the blaze. This served to divert blame from Nero’s administration and to justify harsh measures against a minority group. Christians were a relatively new, misunderstood sect in a pagan society, which made them convenient targets for accusations. The other groups listed were not the ones publicly identified with starting the fire in Rome according to historical accounts. So this answer best matches what historical sources describe about Nero’s actions and the ensuing Christian persecutions.

Scapegoating after a disaster is what this item is illustrating. After the Great Fire of Rome, Emperor Nero blamed the Christians, casting them as responsible for the blaze. This served to divert blame from Nero’s administration and to justify harsh measures against a minority group. Christians were a relatively new, misunderstood sect in a pagan society, which made them convenient targets for accusations. The other groups listed were not the ones publicly identified with starting the fire in Rome according to historical accounts. So this answer best matches what historical sources describe about Nero’s actions and the ensuing Christian persecutions.