The scene where The Doctor gives Nero the idea of starting the fire by holding a map a bit too close to a flame, was later referenced in The Fires of Pompeii (2008), when The Tenth Doctor tells Donna that he had been to Rome once before, and that he "had nothing to do with that fire."
The effect of Rome burning was done at the last minute when the budget had been exceeded. Nobody was very happy with the result.
This episode takes place in July 64.
This episode was watched by 12 million viewers on its original transmission.