Final answer:
Christians were accused of arson during Nero's persecution, which followed the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE. Nero targeted Christians to divert blame from himself, leading to their violent persecution and execution, solidifying their role as martyrs in Christian history.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Nero's persecution of Christianity, Christians were accused of arson. This accusation came in the aftermath of the Great Fire of Rome in 64 CE, where Emperor Nero, seeking to deflect blame from himself, targeted the Christian community and held them responsible. Tacitus, a Roman historian, recorded this historical event, noting that Nero used the disaster to justify the brutal crackdown on Christians, which included torturous executions and massacre in the gladiatorial arena.
During this time, the Roman Empire viewed Christian refusal to worship the emperor and participate in state cults as an act of treason, which led to their persecution. The Roman society saw Christianity as a potential threat due to its monotheistic beliefs, evangelical nature, and the disruptive effects of its practices on societal norms. The persecution of Christians under Nero became a symbol of suffering and martyrdom in Christian tradition, influencing the religion's history and future.