# XIV: Rome in Flames explained — Beric the Briton

> Chapter companion for Beric the Briton by G. A. Henty.

## What happens

Beric witnesses gladiatorial games in Rome, observing the combatants and the crowd's reactions. A great fire breaks out and consumes much of the city. Nero returns and uses the disaster as an opportunity to rebuild Rome on a grand scale, while Beric and his fellow Britons help Norbanus evacuate his valuables. Beric then departs with Scopus and the gladiator school to the Alban Hills.

## Themes in this chapter

### Civilization and Decadence

The gladiatorial games and Nero's opportunistic rebuilding highlight the decadence and moral complexities of Roman civilization.

### Resilience and Survival

Beric and the Britons demonstrate resilience by aiding Norbanus and adapting to the chaos of the fire.

### Justice and Tyranny

Nero's seizure of property and execution of wealthy citizens under pretexts illustrates the tyranny of the emperor.

## Character check-ins

### Beric

Observes gladiatorial games, then helps Norbanus evacuate his belongings during the fire.

### Scopus

Accompanies Beric to the arena and later directs his gladiator school to assist with the fire and then relocate to the Alban Hills.

### Norbanus

A magistrate whom Beric aids in moving his goods to safety as the fire approaches his house.

### Porus

One of the gladiators who marches in the arena procession.

### Lupus

One of the gladiators who marches in the arena procession.

### Nero

Emperor who returns to Rome on the third day of the fire and begins planning the rebuilding of the city.

### Lesbia

Norbanus's wife, who is distressed by the fire and the need to abandon belongings.

## Key lines

> Beric smiled. 'After meeting the Romans twenty times in battle, Scopus, the noise of a crowd would no more affect me than the roar of the wind over the treetops.'

Beric tells Scopus that after many battles, the noise of a crowd is as insignificant to him as the wind.

_Beric displays his battle-hardened composure._

> Nero saw at once how vast was the opportunity. In place of the rambling tortuous streets and crowded rookeries, a city should rise stately, regular, and well ordered, with broad streets and noble thoroughfares.

Nero recognized the fire as a chance to rebuild Rome into a planned, grand capital.

_Nero's opportunistic vision for the new Rome._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters/xiv-rome-in-flames
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beric_the_briton_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/beric_the_briton_se/chapters