Nero

galwayredgirl

Did Nero really fiddle while Rome burned? Like what does that mean?

SafeSurfer

He was turned on by fire.

Jawgap

galwayredgirl wrote: »

Did Nero really fiddle while Rome burned? Like what does that mean?

No.

In fact, he probably didn't even start the fire - it means to do nothing while something bad unfolds.

He was still as mad as a box of frogs.

StupidLikeAFox

The expression has a double meaning: Not only did Nero play music while his people suffered, but he was an ineffectual leader in a time of crisis

Timberrrrrrrr

galwayredgirl wrote: »

Did Nero really fiddle while Rome burned? Like what does that mean?

It is reported that Nero used to play the lyre (fiddle) and he supposedly played this while Rome burned.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/fiddling-while-rome-burns.html

One eyed Jack

Nope, it was basically a myth that got legs -

http://history.howstuffworks.com/history-vs-myth/nero.htm

Daroxtar

SafeSurfer wrote: »

He was turned on by fire.

So he pedalled?

everlast75

Jawgap wrote: »

No.

In fact, he probably didn't even start the fire - it means to do nothing while something bad unfolds.

He was still as mad as a box of frogs.

I suspect Billy Joel.. I mean, the guy protests too much!

Tabnabs

Is this just a sneaky way to keep the *redacted* post count up?

Nero

Jawgap

everlast75 wrote: »

I suspect Billy Joel.. I mean, the guy protests too much!

Actually, there were two people involved.......

Maguire and Patterson

racso1975

galwayredgirl wrote: »

Did Nero really fiddle while Rome burned? Like what does that mean?

for a modern day example look at the video (on youtube) of Bush being told america is under attack and twin towers have been crashed into. He sits in the class room like a plum!!!

kneemos

racso1975 wrote: »

for a modern day example look at the video (on youtube) of Bush being told america is under attack and twin towers have been crashed into. He sits in the class room like a plum!!!

Nero was incapacitated until someone told him what to do?

Turtyturd

Great topic, you deserve your own question thread OP.

Medusa22

Some Roman dictators are remembered unfavourably because we just have the writings of those that didn't like him left, like Nero. A lot of what was said about him seems to be more like slander, though it does seem like he was a bit unhinged alright.

kneemos

Always assumed fiddled meant he was still having orgy's and stuffing his face with exotic fruits as Rome burned.
Never knew the guy actually played the fiddle.

Jawgap

Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the House of Caesar - is worth a read if you're looking for more on Nero, Caligula, Tiberius etc

Trent Houseboat

racso1975 wrote:

for a modern day example look at the video (on youtube) of Bush being told america is under attack and twin towers have been crashed into. He sits in the class room like a plum!!!

He just wanted to know how My Pet Goat ended.

c_man

I thought it implied he was cracking one out (multiple ones I suppose) during the event.

farmchoice

as luck would have it i have just finished reading Tom Holland's book Dynasty which cover Nero reign as roman emperor,

Nero didn't play the fiddle but he was a very accomplished lyre player.

there is no evidence that he was playing that or any other instrument while Rome burned, in fact he was not in Rome at the time. however afterwards it was suspected that not only did he not care that it burned down but that he may actually have had people start secondary fires.

he undertook a massive rebuilding project after the fire cleaning away the narrow streets and tenements and putting up impressive new buildings and boulevards, all as a tribute to his greatness

WoollyRedHat

He started a coffee chain and a succesful one at that... stick it to the nero haters.

iDave

He managed to suck Vulcan into a black hole and ruin 40 years of canon.

The_Valeyard

We now have a female Kneemos? :P

Actually, isn't there evidence that Nero was not even in Rome when the fire started, but was in a palace down the country?

galwayredgirl

Tabnabs wrote: »

Is this just a sneaky way to keep the *redacted* post count up?

Nero

Sorry - Im at a loss to understand what you mean???

Letree

Was he verified on twitter i wonder