On this date in 68 A.D., one of the most notorious Roman emperors committed suicide–Nero.  He is probably most known for fiddling while Rome burned and then blaming it on the Christians.  This started a horrendous persecution of these people.  What comes to my mind is Christians being thrown to wild beasts, being crucified, and being used as torches to light his gardens. Nero is also remembered for his artistic inclinations and his absolute insane actions.  So why the suicide? He was declared public enemy by the Senate.  He reportedly lost the nerve, and he had his secretsry carry out the suicide.  His last words were “What an artist the world loses in me.” I wonder if this was one of the first assisted suicides.

For more info:
http://www.roman-empire.net/emperors/nero.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/nero.shtml

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