| Original Message |
tony cronshaw (no login)
Posted Jul 5, 2009 2:01 PM
Far be it from me to suggest that Nero was some sort of innocent, string-playing hippy during the destruction and rebuilding of Rome.
In July 64 AD, a tremendous fire,lasting for more than six days, reduced the greater part of the city of Rome to ashes. Emperor Nero (54-68 AD) quickly began to rebuild the ruined city on a most ambitious scale. The very speed with which he undertook his elaborate reconstruction aroused the suspicions of the people. Perhaps the plans had been drawn up before the fire? And so a rumour spread that the fire had been malicious, that it had been a deliberate act of high authority. Indeed, people were beginning to believe that the emperor himself had instigated the burning of the city. The citizens were certainly right in their suspicions. But Nero could ill afford to have his guilty secret exposed. In order to root out suspicions, Nero needed a scapegoat.
Tacitus ("Annals of Rome" 15.44):
"Nero fastened the guilt (for the fire) and inflicted the most refined tortures on a class of people hated for their abominations, called Christians by the people. The author of this name was Christ, who, during the reign of Tiberius, had been executed by Pontius Pilate, the procurator. Momentarily checked, the deadly superstition broke out again, not only in Judea, the source of this evil, but also in the city of Rome, where all outrageous and shameful practices from every part of the world converge and are fervently proclaimed. Accordingly, an arrest was made of all who pleaded guilty... then an immense multitude was convicted, not so much for the crime of setting fire to the city, as of hatred against humankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered in skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were burnt to serve as nightly illuminations when daylight had expired. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle... Hence, even for criminals who deserve extreme and exemplary punishment, there arose a feeling of compassion; for it was not, as it seemed, for the public good, but to satisfy one man's cruelty, that they were destroyed".
However, my reference to Nero and his harp, was simply a recourse to a popular coloquial expression, commonly used in our culture to underline the folly of Emperors.
Indeed, the Ashes of 2005 were achieved by singular means, which then and since, have had a damaging knock-on effect to the overall good of County Cricket.
I am not opposed to International cricket, though I do perceive it to be an imperial "gravy train", but I am opposed to the destruction of County Cricket, which its all consuming desires continues to fuel.
I also know, that all empires throughout history have sown the seeds of their own destruction. In my opinion there are signs that International Cricket has already travelled well down that road. Where in the world outside these islands, are local crowds flocking to see Test matches?
When all roads lead to Rome, there is attraction for the hordes to attack and despoil the heart of the Empire and a different brand of ashes is the consequent result.
Beware or Deria will once again be fighting Bernicia on the greenswards of the Broad Acres! |
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