This June 23, 1999 file photo shows a section of the then newly restored Nero’s Golden Palace, in Rome. On Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, authorities in Rome closed Nero’s Golden Palace to the public after days of heavy rain filled the monument with mud and damaged the electrical system. Roughly half the palace was closed after heavy rains in 2005 threatened to collapse it. Until Monday some sections had stayed open to guided tours. The Domus Aurea was Emperor Nero’s house, where he spent the last months of his life before committing suicide in 68 a.d.(AP Photo/Plinio Lepri, files)
