My twin brother and I were raised by wolves, so even if we didn't want to think about the Roman Empire, we get reminded about it many times per day. Ugh!

If you a Christian, you have no choice but to think of the Roman Empire. The entire New Testament is pretty much happening during the Roman Empire. If you live in the West, you have to think of the Roman Empire because your laws, your culture, your religion have all been influenced by the Roman Empire in some way. Quite frankly, the influence of the Roman Empire on the entire globe is something like water. A fish dosen't need to think of the water its swimming in but without it, the fish dies. The influence of Rome is like water.

I’m a Catholic Catechumen and a recent college graduate with a history major and Roman civilization has been one of my historical obsessions since I was a child. It ranks up there with other ancient cultures like the Greeks, Egyptians, Persians, Chinese, and Indians for me. Just so many stories from wars/battle to political intrigue to cultural aspects such as literature, philosophy, and religion. Now that I’ve been learning Church history it’s cool to see how Christianity spread and took over the empire over the course of a few hundred years. Christianity and the Roman Empire led to the formation of the modern west as we know it, it’s so significant.

Since this has been "trending" I sure think about it a lot more.

Thank you, Matt. From a modern Roman!

"A nation is born stoic, and dies epicurean." -- Will Durant

Although Rome obviously had its problems and was the cause of numerous evils, I think many men are attracted to it because of the masculine virtues often associated with it (accurately or otherwise). If you want to hear spoken Latin today, attend a Traditional Latin Mass near you. The accent will be ecclesiastical, as opposed to the classical Latin of Cicero, but it certainly is Latin, and 99.9% of listeners wouldn't know the difference in any case. For a fascinating and speculative twist of an alternative future of what "could have" become of the empire, watch the Star Trek episode "Bread and Circuses."

accurate and comprehensive assessment matt, i often wonder myself why i am so drawn to that period of time but i think you’ve really cracked the code here!!

I've been waiting for this video haha! I knew you couldn't resist it.

I only seem to ever consider it from an economic standpoint. I try to use the timeline of the rise and fall of Rome to figure out where my national economy fits in order to extrapolate how much more time we have before my society falls into economic and social depravity. It's pretty much just a thought experiment though because the variables are far too numerous to predict any specific outcome with any level of certainty.

A great scifi series I’ve been reading uses Rome for the rich elites’ social structure. It’s called Red Rising by Pierce Brown, highly recommend. And it’s why I’ve been thinking about the Roman Empire lately lol

Matt, I think of Rome a lot because I am an RC priest , especially these days as the big Synod is starting next week. But the Empire, next to never!

I like the running list in the top right corner, very nice touch.

Just as I thought about the fullness of time-thing, Matt starts to speak about the fullness of time-thing 😂 Awesome...also saw the meme and thought: "Hmmm, how often do I think about it myself?" Turns out, quite a bit...

Brilliant video, Matt!

Excellent explanation, thank you!

Thanks Matt, 10/10 video as always

Love your thoughts man. I was raised Christian, but I knew early on that I was gay so I constantly struggled with trying to find the “truth.” I’ve since constantly dived headfirst into cultures, religions, & mysticism. Funny enough all that did was further my confusion since I understood that I didn’t understand those cultures and in fact couldn’t because I didn’t grow up there. Since the indoctrination process of every culture is multifaceted using all the senses and it’s something you grow (mature) into. That leads me to go back to my roots since I could understand it. That gave me a lot of respect for my forefathers and just as importantly, my parents. I’ve learning a lot but It’s never over. I just found your channel and it surprised me to see that you’re on a similar quest and finding similar landmarks as myself. One thing that really helped me to translate a lot of “confusion” was will Durante work on Julius Caesar, Voltaire, Plato, Aristotle, etc. it’s fascinating how subtle minor changes can cause such drastic differences in beliefs over time. Also funny how indoctrination is inescapable, IT is part of being a culture. I have since come to the conclusion that everyone is overly focused on problems and not the cause. I have since come to the conclusion on my own that I’m not gay. It doesn’t exist. I have a desire for something incorrect and since my culture has been misled by someone they rationalize why it’s happening instead of using reason and what they know to be true. Therefore it is a delusion to think god made me gay. He did not. I feel this way because I’m traumatized and the attractions I feel are trauma bonds. Question everything! Don’t let others think for you. You’re on the right track man💪

Really good one Matt - thanks so much. Growing up in the UK we have an additional view. Britain (apart from Scotland) went into a genuine and deep Dark Age after the Romans withdrew in the early 400's AD. That contrast, well documented in archaeology, is truly horrific. Once understood it makes you think about the Roman Empire with all its problems versus what life was like without it. I think this is another reason why at least Brits might think a lot about the Roman Empire.

I thought about Rome five times already today. Thanks to your video, I've made it to six... 🙃 One thing that I think could also be mentioned, though, is that we're sort of still (maybe in an abstract way) in the Roman Empire. I'm just thinking about the vision of the statue in the book of Daniel, where we're in the period of the divided Roman Empire. So I guess it's just another way that it's natural to be thinking about the old Roman Empire...

Thank you for this enlightening video on this new meme floating around the intertubes. I will confess that I appear to be a failure because I don't think about Rome on a daily - or even weekly - basis...😟

I remember a question my older brother and I pondered 25 years ago when we were teenagers. What if you could go back in time to the Roman Empire with a couple cases of cling wrap. Could you become rich selling it? Would people think it was some sort of witchcraft? I don’t remember all we concluded, but ai remember that we talked about the idea off and on for about a month.

Loved this! Please please please tell me there’s going to be a NDQ episode on this!

I had to pause about the 6 minute mark. I think you are perfectly describing Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. And everyone with any interest in history has had to have had these thoughts.

I was unaware of this trend until a woman in my Spanish 101 class asked me in front of everyone. I told her about once or twice a week, because I listen to a lot of history podcasts. All of the other women around her collectively said "Why?!", and another man across the room immediately starting going off about how well made Roman roads were. Women wondering why men think about the Roman Empire so much makes me want to think about it more. I am unsure why.

In the discipleship material that I take people through, there is a question that says something such as “couldn’t of God come up with a better way, why Jesus?” And I often answer it in a similar way, as to what you put at the end of this video. I’m definitely going to show people your articulation because it’s a lot better than mine, Lol.

I've been thinking a lot about the Persian Empire lately. .... Thanks, Matt. 😏

6. What isn't known about it 6. Because it fell I love that you make mistakes. It makes you so much more relatable. Fantastic content as always, brother.

Rome Related thoughts within the past month. I mused whether there were any elephant bones somewhere high in the Alps from when Hannibal crossed. I was talking about St. Peter preaching in Rome and the origin of the gospels (conversation inspired by one of Matt’s videos from a while ago). I was wondering why Russians spell Caesar with a T. I mentioned to someone that while Little Caesar’s Pizza shows a cartoon of Julius Caesar in their logo, Little Caesar was actually his illegitimate son with Cleopatra. I am always thinking about Rome in analogy with our current government which was based somewhat upon Roman Government along with some ideas from the Iroquois Confederacy. I saw a tourism ad with an image of The Hagia Sophia, one of the last great buildings of the Roman Empire. And the biggest reason I had to think of Rome in the past month is that I read Ben-Hur last week.

I live in the Lazio Region, 60 Km from Rome. Took the train for years every day to go to work in Rome. Would stop off at a bar across from the Colosseum and have an espresso before work. Miss those days. Yah i think of the Roman empire every day and always will. Ave

St. Lawrence - His history is so cool! Love being Catholic

Writing Roman numerals everytime reminds me of Roman Empire

I've got a degree in Classics, which involved learning Latin and Ancient Greek. I think my wife knows exactly how often I think about the Roman Empire, which is constantly.

The next trend should be "How often do you think about fighting in WW3?".

This is a good breakdown. I think about it every day, and even when I'm not thinking about it consciously I'm thinking about it unconsciously. In the US, all of our government buildings and most of the government heraldry and signs are stylistically derived from Roman heraldry and architecture. We have Latin on our money and state seals. We also have a Senate and a Republic. We also have an eagle as a our mascot. If you're of European descent (as I am) you most likely have ancestors that were part of the Empire for thousands of years. When I see the ancient Romans I don't see an interesting foreign culture, I see people like myself, and people I'm descended from, my great great etc grandparents. Also, the collapse and decay we are undergoing now is reminiscent of the late stage western Roman Empire. I really don't understand why this has become a meme.

Kyle, the Roman lion pit manager, wants his helmet back.

I mean... if this was the Persian Empire, it would be every day. I haven't gotten to the Roman Empire historically yet!

I love Rome because it lasted longer than the traditionally taught Fall of 476. The Romaioi continued on the flame of Rome un-interrupted for 800 years after the Western Romans collapsed, and then the rump fought on for another 200 and even re-took the Gem of the Medieval World from the Latins. When I am asked the question of "Do you think about the Roman empire?", my mind races to the onslaught the Eastern Romans faced, outlasted, but unfortunately succumbed to after an arduous struggle for the survival of the Roman State. Your videos with the Eastern Orthodox Churchs' priests only reinforces my respect for the tradition they inherit from the days of Justinian I to Konstantinos XI. So happy I found your channel and keep up the awesome videos Matt, they get more views than most towns in our beloved State!

Yes, the fall and everything that period of time entailed, has filled an unnervingly larger portion of my brain each day longer I’m able to give it a moments thought

when i first saw it like a week ago...maybe it was 2 days ago r/historymemes HILARIOUS SUB. But when I saw it I laughed at myself because I think about the roman empire almost daily...and for various reasons...then it turns out I'm not alone...its literally like every dude out there. Made me actually laugh out loud.

This video comes out just when I am reading Greg Woolf's work on the Roman Empire (called simply, 'Rome'). Providential!

I thought only history nerds (like me) thought about the Roman Empire on a regular basis. I just find it extremely fascinating, but I sure as hell wouldn't want to bring it back or live there. I find the history of most parts of the world and most time periods to be very interesting. So, my thoughts often wander to all of them on a regular basis, maybe some, like Rome, more than others.

Men think about history in general. Women think about Bridgerton.

🎉 Roman Empire!

I was just thinking of the Roman Empire and came across this!

This video is incredible

Great work. The Roman empire is like the source code for human movement. Almost anything you do is linked to Rome. It was an age where everything In time and space had a chance to evolve. From thimbles to aquaducts, roads to calendar, money n trade, science n tech, negotiation n war.

I hadn't thought that much about the Roman Empire until I dove into the Simon Scarrow Eagle book series. I'm currently on audio book 12 of the series, so I think about the Roman Empire everyday. It is fictional, but I do wonder how life was lived during that time and how the gospel quickly spread during that time period.

To those who conflate the legacy of the Roman Empire with Christianity: you're gravely mistaken. Yes, when discussing the Eastern Empire post-476 AD, Christianity holds relevance. But let's set the record straight: during Rome's golden age, from Augustus to Aurelian, Christianity wasn't the driving force. The essence of Rome-its audacity, duty, the pursuit of immortality through legend, the unapologetic elitism, and the relentless drive for scientific and philosophical progress-was shaped by its native religions and philosophies. I'm talking about Graeco Roman Hellenism and various Greek philisophical authors from centuries before and during the empire, all blended into one. This unique blend of values and beliefs made Rome legendary, a beacon for many even today. It wasn't tethered by religious dogmas that could stifle progress or scientific endeavor. All of these also brought us things like roads, concrete, statecraft administration, architecture on levels not seen until even after reneissance. To say Christianity was central to ancient Rome's spirit is to misunderstand the very essence of the empire. Let's not revise history based on lack of knowledge. Christianity was the wokeness of the ancient world.

What service did you use for the illustration of the thinking matt Whitman on your thumbnail?

I hear Latin at the very least once a week (at a Traditional Latin Mass), but I only think about the Roman Empire/Republic a few times a year. Whenever I do think about what I could do if I went to the past with the knowledge I have now, I usually think of going back to the 1100s ~ 1500s, when, as I see it, I could probably do more to improve lives then and now (though that may be so because I know more about this time frame than about the Roman period). I do think about some of the inventions, engineering feats, and architecture of the romans fairly often, but I wouldn't say I'm thinking of the roman empire then, I'm only thinking of the thing itself and maybe the people immediately responsible for them.

I think because it falls in line with the narrative of the whole Star Wars Trilogies - An Old Republic - Rise of an Empire, fall and final Rise of both, which is a new story with an old narrative. What you think Matt?

interesting! I just saw this trend and had NO idea what it was about.

I'm a man. I'm reminded of the Roman Empire when I read the Bible or when I listen to certain podcasts. But on my own, with my own opinions about it? No... not really. What am I missing?

dang, I never be thinking about the Roman Empire. I do be thinking about how everyone used to always make those paper accordion things from the skinny perforated slips that had holes in em we tore off the edges of the old school printer paper. Hard to explain if you don't already know.

well your podcast listeners certainly do! hahaha thanks for contributing to the hive mind!! 😆🤓

The Majority of soldiers wos Germanic, Latins, and North Africans for the first time fighting under one single power, in does times are fascinating how they make them all citizens, Ps : Good explanation 👍 ❤ love From Romania

Side note, as soon as I saw this trend you were the first person I thought about. I was like you know who thinks about the roman empire? Matt does.

I am a man, but outside of the context of the New Testament, I almost never think about Rome. This trend baffles me haha.

"The empire never ended." - PKD

Plot Twist: Men don't actually think about the Roman Empire, we just all naturally like to troll our women so we say "All the time".

You should start a playlist where you just talk about history stuff 😎

I think about the Roman Empire multiple times a day. If I have free time I most likely will look into something Roman related. For example tonight I watched a documentary about an ancient Roman church.

To anyone interested please read the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Cedric Gibbon. It parallels the decline of the American Empire. By the way unless you belonged to the ruling class or even middle class most of us would have been slaves.

I'm with the original IG poster: why?!?! I only think about it when 1) it's mentioned as an internet meme and 2) it has some applicability to the scripture I'm reading.

I think about the ablative case of Latin regularly.

Three years ago I wrote about exactly this in my Master's Degree Program, but they rejected me because I spoke the Truth.

I know you don’t think of yourself as a historian but I can listen to you speak on historical events for hours.

As a Christian all of the New Testament happened during Roman era. Plus the similarities between America and Rome, especially the decline of both coincides.

It's not just Rome we think about. We also think about ancient China, Greece, Egypt, Mongols, Persia, Israel, Carthage, vikings, Aldaraan, Gondor, and when we're board with all of these, we make up our own empires to think about. P.S. Yes, it is absolutely impossible for a Christian theologian or apologist to go a day without thinking about Rome because of the historical background. Jesus' form of death was not just known as "crucifixion", but "Roman Crucifixion." I would love to bring Caesar Tiberius into the modern world and tell him, "The most significant moment in all human history happened during your reign." Then I would take him walking around and see what he finds. Would he recognize all the crosses everywhere? "What great victory did I win?" he would think. "What great wealth did I acquire?" The shock he would experience when I tell him it had nothing to do with him, but the death of a homeless street preacher in a back-water country he barely cared about.

This was sent to me by a friend. I thought it was awesome

before watching this i was already interested about the Roman Empire, now im interested in it *more*

The fullness of time is upon us again.

Yeah I had never really thought of Rome outside of the Bible or the movie 300. My wife asked me and was surprised that I don't ever think of it. Very interesting.

Following a lectionary that includes one gospel reading and one reading from other NT passages each day, one can't avoid considering the context.

I think part of it is the Romans documented things so well. They wrote a lot down and quite a lot of their writings have been preserved. But people have had a fascination with Rome even after the "fall of Rome". The Eastern Roman Empire continued to exist as the Byzantine Empire for around a 1000 more years and in the West they rebooted the Western Roman Empire as the Holy Roman Empire which lasted into the 1800s. Then there are some people who considered Moscow to be the "third Rome", which is kind of strange to me since Moscow wasn't part of the Roman Empire. But their old emperors used to be Tsars (Czars), with is Russian for Caesars. And even after the end of the Holy Roman Empire the Germans had Kaisers for a while, which is German for Caesar. Then there is what you mentioned about Jesus and Old Testament. It plays heavily into that time of history so Christians are familiar with that, and the Catholic church has been based in Rome since early on and is still there today. So yeah, I guess it's not really all that surprising that people still think about the Roman Empire a lot. It seems people have never stopped being fascinated by it.

I've only just heard about this a week ago.....

I think its a large factor how rome history has a big prevalence in media and popculture back the golden age of epic films, and notably, how well documented the subject is in contrast to others.

I thought about it a lot less often before this silly trend started...

Probably American men think of Rome so much because it reminds them so much of their own country.

I was just thinking about how much of the Roman Empire, is still part of our daily lives.

I think we need to all think about the Roman Empire more and how it fell.

I learned about this internet meme about the Roman Empire while listening to a podcast about the foundation of Constantinople. And I was like: "Why I even listing to this podcast?" and I started counting how many times during the week I thought of the Roman Empire and, yeah, quiet a lot.

Does anyone know of any good documentaries on ancient Rome? Not dry lectures but engaging with good historical content.

I don’t think about the Roman Empire unless it’s brought up. I’ve never just sat around thinking about it without prompting ever.

Been on a Dan Carlin bender as of late; I love thinking about history, people’s motives, why they made the choices they’ve made. And I’ve totally wondered what it would be like if I could time travel back to the days of Rome, or ancient Israel. I think my fiancée appreciates it, but can’t empathize with the fascination it has for me. One of the craziest things about history is that, when we look back from a far enough distance, we can see the narrative. And yes; every moment in history has its own story. But I’ll bet those living in it didn’t see it. I think that understanding of the story of the moment, and being able to communicate that story, would be the biggest thing I could do as a time traveller :). My two cents, anyway.

If you could go back in time and bring some stuff with you with the express purpose of bragging and looking awesome, what stuff would you bring? For example, would you claim to have written Mozart, would you invent electricity, etc.?

Cromwell’s Protectorate has more of my captivation

Geez! I wish I had a time ⏲️ machine & go back to live a week in the late Roman Empire

It really freaked me out because I for whatever reason do quite often

gladiators fighting animals is fascinating

Whenever I get asked something like this that seems weird, I give whatever answer I think they aren't expecting. When my wife asked I knew about it. I shrugged my shoulders and said "2 or 3 times a day." But I immediately showed her the first post and all that followed. In reality, I rarely think about it. But I do it more often now that it's a thing. My father-in-law (a Baptist Pastor) told me he saw something about it, so I showed him all the stuff I showed my wife. He and I discussed it. We acknowledged that as Christians we do often when we think about the New Testament. We couldn't think of, besides Caligula🐴, that could explain the secular world. This video is very enlightening. My father-in-law walked by while I was watching this video, said "Why is everyone still doing that?", and then went to watch the 3 hours of internet personalities reporting/opinionating about Ukraine and Russia that he treats as his job every day.

I think of far more of the british empire and medieval europe but i'd think of rome about 2 odd times a week, sometimes more (especially if you include Byzantium), sometimes less but not really about the collapse, more about the food, people, weapons, architecture, etc. More likely to think about silphium than the fall more recently. Not american or christian (or religious in general) which seems to be what a lot of people being asked are. A good third of the time i think about rome its probably got something to do with britian because it had a massive impact on my little island, got demilitarized in england and after that they buggered of because yet another guy thought they could become emperor and we suddenly got invaded by everyone and their nan.

There are three French Canadian movies that do just that: use turning points in the Roman Empire as metaphors for the state of Modern Western Civilisation. All three recieved critical acclaim worldwide. The Decline of the American Empire Jesus of Montreal The Barbarian Invasions There's some sensitive subject matter so parental supervision is strongly advised, but films by Denys Arcand will make you think and feel things about history you've never thought and felt before.

I definitely think of it because it fell. Btw there are two #6s!

"Is retaking Constantinople the solution to male loneliness?" Yes.

One quibble I have with the "think about the Roman Empire every day" claim is how are "think" and "Roman Empire" defined? Everyone is made aware of something connected to a culture that was affected by Rome, even if one isn't aware of it... but I don't know how that should count because at that point it approaches thinking about everything when one thinks of anything. As for deliberately concentrating on the Emperors and their lives, administrations, and military actions, I actually doubt many people think about that every day. Are cultures and persons that were affected by Roman culture but considered "non-Roman" properly part of the Empire? Because that's most of the stuff that I tend to think about -- and the crux of the Christianity argument. Is learning about Zoroastrianism "thinking about the Roman Empire," because it would go on to interact with Rome, even though it predated Rome, started well outside of Rome, outlasted Rome, retained basically no Roman influence, and was almost the archetypal "non-Roman" religion by Roman standards? What about Manichaeism, which started during the Roman empire but outside it, but was willing to borrow the occasional term from Greek philosophy and mystery religions? What about Islam, which postdates the fall of western Rome but transmitted a number of classical works from the Eastern Roman Empire to western Europe via al-Andalus?

It's simple: why not?

I sometimes fantasize about meeting characters from history. Also, I often have a lightsaber in these fantasies.

As a guy, I haven't really thought much about the Roman Empire, but I might give it a shot