Nero blames the Christians for the fire of Rome
A great fire burned much of Rome. To quiet rumors that he had started it, the emperor Nero blamed the Christians and had many of them put to death with terrible cruelty.
But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter.
1 Peter 4:16 (World English Bible)
The Roman historian Tacitus describes believers torn apart by dogs, crucified, and burned as torches to light Nero's gardens. His account shows that within thirty years of the crucifixion there was already “a great multitude” of Christians in Rome. Peter wrote of the “fiery trial” that had come on his readers (1 Peter 4:12).
Dating notes
The fire began on 19 July AD 64 (Tacitus, Annals, book 15).