Itโs a meme-tier social phenomenon that has quietly existed in the background for years, but after a viral TikTok, the truth has gained mainstream traction โ we men think about the Roman Empire on a hilariously regular basis.
It ranks up there with other default-guy thoughts, including:
- World War II (nothing specific, just WWII in general)
- The Mongol Empire, for those of us who are Asiatically inclined (I dream of reclaiming the steppes for my greatest ancestor on horseback)
- That recurring fantasy in which we singlehandedly save our high school from a hostage situation (I surely canโt be the only one)
But what is it about the glory of โThe Republicโ that makes it an endless source of fascination for the male brain? Why is it so damn universal? And what does it tell us about the 21st-century man?
The Resurgence of Classic Masculinity
Within specific corners of the internet โ wedged snugly between those on their โSigma Grindsetโ and bodybuilding fanatic culture โ there has been a steady increase in the uptake of stoicism. Though keep in mind: these neighbouring hubs arenโt mutually exclusive. In fact, whether through irony or sincerity, the Venn diagram so often resembles a circle.
For the uninitiated, this Hellenistic school of philosophy promotes mastery of the self, moral excellence, perseverance, logic, and โ while the misguided have wrongfully assumed otherwise โ kindness as well as positive emotions (not their suppression) to maximise your quality of life. All noble traits, of course.
While stoicismโs origins are in Ancient Greece, it was a pivotal system of philosophical thought in Ancient Rome; with notable proponents ranging from Emperor Marcus Aurelius (who penned the definitive stoic text Meditations) to statesman and dramatist Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger (often referred to simply as โSenecaโ).
Now hereโs the explainer: at a time when masculinity is constantly being redefined and thereโs clearly a large demographic of the male population who are desperately in search of an identity, you can understand why weโd gravitate towards concepts as concrete as the idealised portrait of a man โ and the historical era with which itโs practically synonymous.
The Decline of Modern Empires
The second prong of the โReject Modernity, Embrace Traditionโ pitchfork has everything to do with the view that our modern empires are in a late-stage decline (particularly those who live in the Land of the Free/Home of the Brave).
Between the endless anxiety-inducing news cycle; f***ing microplastics; and the ongoing inflation crisis; along with the idealisation of what a man should be, there seems to be a romantic yearning for the โgood olโ daysโ of Imperial Rome.
Itโs easy to compare our present situation, however dire, to the very height of a vaunted civilisation celebrated for its architectural, cultural, and political achievements; and instantly decide which meadow sports the greener grass.
Keep in mind there are also more than a few hard-learned lessons from Romeโs fall we can (and should) take into account in order to mitigate the current s**tshow weโre currently enduring.
And of courseโฆ Gladiator (2000)
There really isnโt a sophisticated dissection of the third and final prong.
Ever since Ridley Scottโs historical epic premiered at the turn of the millennium, as a species, weโve been championing the virtues of Russell Croweโs general-turned-slave fighter Maximus Decimus Meridius; fantasised about swinging a sword in sandals; and vowed to exact our entirely hypothetical vengeance in this life or the next.
Weโre also patiently awaiting the forthcoming release of Gladiator II starring Paul Mescal, Barry Keoghan, and Denzel Washington, which will make the hype around Barbenheimer look like a country town school fair by sheer comparison. But I digressโฆ
Paired alongside a childhood informed by video games such as Assassinโs Creed II, Assassinโs Creed: Brotherhood, and Rome: Total War; and you have yourself a full-blown escapism cocktail. Plain and simple.
An Expert Weighs In
Australia National Universityโs Associate Professor of Classics and Head of the Centre for Classical Studies, Caillan Davenport, recently spoke to ABC Australia about the relationship between men and the Roman Empire.
โThere is so much to Ancient Rome โ literature and beautiful poetry, but that actually isnโt whatโs copping up [in the trend],โ explained Davenport; outlining โsport, armies, and sexโ as common themes.
โI think [the men] are thinking of, you know, gladiators who were like sports stars. Theyโre not envisaging themselves as enslaved people.โ
He added: โSome of the TikToks talking about, you knowโฆ Rome was the best. But you must also think about the terrible effects of conquest and colonisation.โ
Fair play.
