How many times do you think about the Roman Empire per day?

  • MisterFrog@lemmy.worldOP
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    2 months ago

    Hopefully it’s understood that the “how often do you think of the Roman Empire per day” about men is a meme, it just so happens that I’ve quite enjoyed Roman history, and also happen to be a man.

    I wouldn’t say interest Roman history is a “man thing”, just that my own personal experience happened to be meme-able haha

    • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      ha, i definitely have known only men and many men who love to start talking about Roman history at the drop of a hat.

      It’s a meme, but it’s very anecdotally accurate in my experience.

      it has 100% of the time been a guy talking about “the thing about ancient rome!..” haha.

      “it’s like, they only took the best ideas, and then only improved on those ideas after adding them into their society!”

      “The reason Roman militaries were undefeated was their commitment to organization and efficiency. do you know about Hannibal? not the movie., a general. no, his son!”

      • MisterFrog@lemmy.worldOP
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        2 months ago

        “it’s like, they only took the best ideas, and then only improved on those ideas after adding them into their society!”

        Yikes 💀 I wonder if they really paid attention to all the slavery, patriarchy, oligarchy, incest (the whole, you’re not related unless it’s on your father’s side thing), genocide, etc lol

        I find it interesting because there is a lot about Roman society that’s more recognisable today than in the middle ages, the politics is exciting, and yeah, the organisation of the military is also fascinating.

        But I’m glad to not have yet met anyone who actually admires the Roman Empire. They were barbaric and cruel, often by ancient standards.

        • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
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          2 months ago

          haha, they definitely gloss over the child brides and slavery.

          It’s like " yeah but that was like a long time ago", and then in the same breath " The thing that proves their civilization’s superiority is the way they mixed their cement, look at these arches!"

          I’m always on edge waiting for someone enthralled by the roman civilization to eventually lean in and explain “you know, it used to be really normal to marry 13-year-olds. biologically…”