Only months after the devastating fire which destroyed most of Rome, Emperor Nero today announced his intention to build a palace complex on the site. The new palace is to be known as the Golden House, and is expected to cover up to 300 square acres. Renown architects Severus and Celer have been chosen to provide over the construction, which is planned to resemble a seaside city, with many magnificent buildings, a giant pool, vineyards, pastures, and woods, and a 100 foot tall statue of Nero himself. This palace will be called the Golden House for good reason, as the amount of gold, fine paintings, precious metals and stones, and other valuables in the buildings are expected to be unsurpassed by any building the Roman Empire has seen before.
The news has been greeted with trepidation by many Roman citizens, who are concerned that the cost of Nero's latest pet project will fall on them through increased taxes. Nero's announcement has also led to speculation that the disastrous fire earlier this year was not caused by Christians, as previously claimed, but by the Emperor himself in order to clear land for this palace complex. Older rumors that Nero was seen playing his lyre and reciting poetry as he viewed the blaze have fueled (pardon the pun) these accusations of Nero's guilt.
It is currently unknown how long construction on the Golden House will last, but it will certainly be several years before Emperor Nero and Empress Poppaea Sabina will be able to take up residence there. Until then, Sententia Publicus will keep you updated on the construction of Rome's greatest pleasure palace.
