Sounds like you have only heard anti- position.
I would suggest you read Before Jerusalem Fell: Dating the Book of Revelation by Ken Gentry. It's available online. Check out the chapter on "six hundred and sixty six" and how it fits with Nero.
Then come back and we can talk about what is so "ludicrous" with the position.
His argument depends on his very unconvincing assertion that Revelation was written before 70 AD. If one accepts Revelation was written approx 95 AD (the conclusion of the vast majority of those who have researched the issue) it falls apart. Nero had been dead aroud 30 years by that time and had been followed by emporers (Domitian) who were much more prolific in their persecution of the Christians.