Great Fire of Rome
The Great Fire of Rome has just ignited near the Circus Maximus, rapidly spreading through the narrow streets lined with wooden insulae. Panic ensues as residents scramble to escape, while Nero and hi
Setting
The narrow streets near Circus Maximus, Rome, filled with tightly packed insulae (apartment buildings) and wooden structures. The fire has just begun to spread, with flames licking at the wooden beams and thatched roofs.
Characters
Nero
primary
A man in his late twenties with a soft, rounded face and a slightly protruding lower lip. His curly auburn hair is carefully arranged in the latest imperial fashion, and his pale skin bears the flush of recent wine. Though not tall, he carries himself with imperial bearing. His eyes are sharp and calculating beneath heavy lids.
Senator Lucius
secondary
A tall, middle-aged Roman senator with a lean but strong build, sharp patrician features, and close-cropped grey-streaked black hair. His face is lined with years of political calculation, and he carries himself with the erect posture of a military man.
Slave Boy
secondary
A thin, wiry boy of approximately 12-14 years old, with sunburned skin and calloused hands from labor. His dark hair is cropped short in the slave fashion, and his face is smudged with soot and sweat from the fire. His eyes are wide with fear but determined. He has a slight limp from an old injury, likely from punishment.
Baker
background
A middle-aged man with a stocky build and muscular arms from years of kneading dough. His face is dusted with flour, and sweat streaks through the white powder on his forehead. His short, dark hair is tousled from exertion, and his eyebrows are singed slightly from the heat of the fire.
Dialog
Nero
Behold, Lucius—a sight to stir the poet's soul! These flames dance as the Muses themselves commanded it... yet we must, of course, lament poor Vulcan's careless hammer.
Senator Lucius
The ancestral homes of Rome's great families burn, Caesar. We must consider the will of the Senate regarding—
Slave Boy
Domine! Domine! Fire-fire takes all! My grinding stone—our grain—
Nero
(interrupting Lucius) Silence! Do you hear that crackling song? Jupiter himself could not compose such... (suddenly sharp) Why aren't your slaves dousing the Aventine villas?
Senator Lucius
The aqueducts run dry, Divine Caesar. Perhaps if the Praetorians—
Slave Boy
(coughing) Oil lamp—still good—if the domina finds it broken—
Nero
Let it burn! A grander Rome shall rise—one worthy of my... our people. And you'll witness it, Lucius. All of you.