The cruel, worthless, and diabolical Nero was at this time emperor of Rome; but it is not improbable that the empress Poppaea was favourably inclined to Christianity, as Josephus relates that ([theosebes <\\See definition 2318\\> gar <\\See definition 1063\\> en <\\See definition 2258\\>]) "she was a worshipper of the true God." Jerome states, (in Phm) that St. Paul had converted many in Caesar's family; for "being by the emperor cast into prison, he became more known to his family, and turned the house of Christ's persecutor into a church."