Nowhere could there exist an atmosphere more uncongenial to Christianity than in the Roman court. Nero seemed to have obliterated from his soul the last trace of the divine, and even of the human, and to bear the impress 463 of Satan. His attendants and courtiers were in general of the same character as himself--fierce, debased, and corrupt. To all appearance it would be impossible for Christianity to gain a foothold in the court and palace of Nero.

Intetsteds kunne man tænke sig en mere fjendtlig stemning overfor kristendommen end ved det romerske hof. Det var, som om Nero fra sin sjæl havde udryddet det sidste spor af det guddommelige, ja, endog af det menneskelige og var stemplet af Satan selv. Hans tjenere og hofmænd var som helhed af samme slags som han selv grusomme, lumpne og fordærvede. Efter alle solemærker ville det være umuligt for kristendommen at vinde fodfæste indenfor Neros hof og palads.