What does this research mean for the field?

The conventional belief that Emperor Nero ordered the first state-driven mass persecution of Christians after the great fire of 64 CE is a myth, as the primary source account by Tacitus reflects later ideas rather than the historical realities of the 60s CE. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

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August 14, 2015

The Myth of the Neronian Persecution

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Abstract

ABSTRACT A conventional certainty is that the first state-driven persecution of Christians happened in the reign of Nero and that it involved the deaths of Peter and Paul, and the mass execution of Christians in the aftermath of the great fire of July 64 c.e . The argument here contests all of these facts, especially the general execution personally ordered by Nero. The only source for this event is a brief passage in the historian Tacitus. Although the passage is probably genuine Tacitus, it reflects ideas and connections prevalent at the time the historian was writing and not the realities of the 60s.

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