Jessie Taylor
The Roman candle is a firework that originated in China and was later popularised in the West, but its name has a gruesome history. The firework gets its name from a form of execution used in ancient Rome, where victims were tied to a stake, covered in pitch and oil, and burned alive. This practice has been attributed to the Roman Emperor Nero, who is said to have used the light from burning Christians as illumination for his parties. However, some historians have cast doubt on this narrative of Christian persecution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name origin | The name "Roman candle" may come from a torture mechanism used by the Roman Emperor Nero to execute Christians. |
| Description | A cylindrical firework that ejects exploding shells and launches stars out of a tube into the sky. |
| Origin | China |
| Size | Comes in both big and small sizes. |
| Legality | Banned in many U.S. states due to its danger and explosiveness. |
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What You'll Learn
Roman Emperor Nero's use of Christians as candles
The Roman candle firework may get its name from Roman Emperor Nero's use of humans as torches. According to some sources, Nero coated Christians in wax and burned them as candles during parties. This claim is based on writings by Tacitus, who is known for his "tepid relationship with accuracy".
Nero ruled from 54 to 68 CE, and in 64 CE, the Great Fire of Rome destroyed two-thirds of the imperial city. Nero blamed religious minorities, particularly Christians, for the fire. However, it is unlikely that Christians were significantly persecuted during his reign as they were few in number and relatively unknown. Instead, it is theorised that an Egyptian sect, the priests of Isis, were the primary targets of his persecution.
Nero's persecution of Christians was likely limited to the city of Rome and a short period. While he is often portrayed as a cruel and debaucherous emperor, some historians argue that these depictions are exaggerated by the literate elites, with whom Nero had a contentious relationship. For example, it is claimed that Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned, but in reality, he conducted relief work to help those affected by the fire.
The use of humans as candles is a particularly gruesome method of execution, and it is unclear if it was ever practised. It is possible that the stories of Nero's cruelty were propagated to justify the split from the bloodline of Emperor Augustus.
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Torture and execution method
The Roman candle is believed to have been a torture and execution method, particularly used by the Roman Emperor Nero. This form of execution is considered to be one of the worst and slowest methods of execution. Someone would be tied to a stake, smeared with pitch and oil, and then burned to death, starting from the feet and progressing upwards. The victim would die very slowly since the lighting started at the feet. The victims would often be used as decorative lights for some of Nero's nighttime celebrations and events.
Nero, a Roman Emperor from 54 to 68 AD, was known for capturing Christians and burning them in his garden at night for a source of light. This act of lighting people on fire is believed to be the origin of the name "Roman candle." The Romans would capture Christians, tie them to a stake, and smear their bodies with pitch oil, a very flammable but slow-burning material. They would then start a small fire at the feet of their captive and watch as the fire slowly climbed up the body.
The Great Fire of Rome occurred in July 64 AD, during Nero's rule, and destroyed two-thirds of the imperial city. With damage to 10 of Rome's 14 districts, Nero was eager to find a scapegoat and ultimately blamed religious minorities, particularly the Christian community. This provided him with a pretext to carry out these gruesome executions.
While the connection between Roman candles and Christian persecution has been questioned by some historians, historical references seem to support this narrative. The name "Roman candle" likely originated from this gruesome execution method, reflecting the upward stream of sparks produced by the firework.
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Originated in China
The term "Roman candle" refers to a traditional type of firework that propels stars or exploding shells into the sky. Roman candles come in various sizes, ranging from 6 mm in diameter for consumer-grade fireworks to 8 cm in diameter for professional displays. They are constructed with bentonite, lifting charge, pyrotechnic stars, black powder, and delay charge. Despite their name, Roman candles originated in China.
The name "Roman candle" is believed to have originated from a torture mechanism. Roman candles were considered one of the worst and slowest execution methods. According to history, in 64 AD, during the reign of Roman Emperor Nero, a Great Fire ravaged Rome for nine days, destroying two-thirds of the imperial city. In the aftermath of the fire, Emperor Nero blamed religious minorities, particularly the Christian community. This gruesome association with ancient Rome may have contributed to the naming of the firework.
The earliest recorded mention of Roman candles in 1769 also references "Chinese Fire," suggesting that the fireworks may have originated in China and were later introduced to Europe. Over time, the name "Roman candle" became popular, possibly due to marketing tactics to make the fireworks sound more exotic and appealing to English-speaking audiences.
It is worth noting that the structure and functioning of Roman candles are similar to those of other traditional fireworks. When ignited, the flame moves down the tube, igniting the lift charge and propelling the stars out. Chinese variations often use clay instead of delay powder and incorporate a fuse inside the candle to time the lifts.
Today, Roman candles are associated with joyful celebrations and childhood memories, far removed from their historical namesake and ancient origins. They are a beloved element of fireworks displays, bringing wonder and excitement to people worldwide.
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Marketing to English-speaking audiences
The Roman candle is a firework that originated in China and was introduced to English-speaking audiences in the late 18th century. The earliest reference to the firework in English appears to be from a 1769 issue of the Public Advertiser, which mentions "Roman candles and Chinese fires". The name "Roman candle" likely emerged from a folk etymology that connected the firework to the Roman Emperor Nero, who was known for burning Christians at the stake as a source of light during his nighttime events. This gruesome association probably served as a marketing tactic to make the fireworks seem exotic and appealing to English-speaking buyers.
The Roman candle firework ejects exploding shells into the air and then launches a star out of a tube. It comes in various sizes and is considered dangerous, even banned in many U.S. states. Despite its colourful modern use, the name "Roman candle" still evokes its dark historical roots. This cylindrical firework, which shoots coloured sparks and stars, shares its name with one of the slowest and most painful methods of execution.
In ancient Rome, the ""candles" were actually people—specifically, Christians. The Romans would capture and tie them to a stake, cover them with pitch oil, and then light a small fire at the person's feet, resulting in a slow and agonising death. The lighting would start at the feet so that the victim would live as long as possible, providing light for Nero's celebrations. While this narrative has been questioned by some historians, historical references support this gruesome origin story.
The marketing of Roman candles to English-speaking audiences has thus been a complex interplay of exoticism and gruesome fascination. The name "Roman candle" evokes a sense of classical antiquity, while also hinting at the firework's deadly origins. This dual appeal, combining beauty and danger, has likely contributed to the enduring popularity of Roman candles, despite their controversial namesake.
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Historical references to Christian persecution
The Roman Empire heavily persecuted Christians from its early days as a small Jewish movement in 1st-century Judaea until the 4th century. During this period, Christians were routinely punished for treason, various rumoured crimes, illegal assembly, and introducing an alien cult that drove many Romans to apostasy.
The Roman Emperors played a significant role in the persecution of Christians. Nero, who ruled from 54 to 68 AD, is known for capturing Christians and burning them in his garden at night to use as a source of light. He is also associated with the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD, after which he blamed religious minorities, particularly Christians. Domitian is another emperor associated with the persecution of Christians, notably the execution and exile of Flavius Clemens and his wife, Flavia Domitilla, suspected to be because of their Christian faith.
Other emperors who contributed to the persecution of Christians include Decius, who attempted empire-wide persecution, and Maximinus, whose persecution of Christians included sending Hippolytus and Pope Pontian into exile. Diocletian's reign marked a shift in official attitudes towards religious minorities, and he purged the army of Christians and surrounded himself with public opponents of Christianity.
The legal basis for the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire has been a subject of historical study. One interpretation emphasizes the role of "coercitio," the power of Roman Governors to enforce public order and punish individuals at their discretion. Another school of thought argues for the existence of a specific law against Christians during this period, based on Tertullian's mention of an "institutum neronianum." Additionally, popular suspicion and mutual suspicion between Christians and pagans also contributed to the persecution, with Christians expressing abhorrence towards Roman pagan practices and beliefs.
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Frequently asked questions
A Roman candle is a firework that originated in China and ejects exploding shells into the air. They come in big and small sizes and are banned in many U.S. states due to their danger.
The Roman candle is believed to have gotten its name from a form of execution in ancient Rome. Christians were tied to a stake, covered in pitch and oil, and burned alive, starting from their feet.
The Roman Emperor Nero has been associated with this form of execution. It is said that he used the light from the burning Christians to illuminate his nighttime entertainment.
