Construction of Nero's Golden House

After the Great Fire conveniently clears a massive area in central Rome, Nero constructs the Domus Aurea (Golden House) — a sprawling palace complex with a 120-foot bronze statue of himself, an artificial lake, and rotating dining rooms that showered guests with flower petals. The Roman public sees the palace as proof that Nero started the fire for his own benefit. After his death, the Flavian emperors demolish most of it and build the Colosseum on the site of Nero's artificial lake — literally replacing his vanity with public entertainment.