Poll
Question:
How often do you think about Ancient Rome, the Roman Empire or the Byzantine Empire?
Option 1: Several times a day
votes: 6
Option 2: Daily
votes: 3
Option 3: Weekly
votes: 19
Option 4: Bi-Weekly
votes: 6
Option 5: Monthly
votes: 3
Option 6: Yearly
votes: 2
Option 7: The what now?
votes: 2
Based on the Tik-Tok craze; how often do you think about the glory that was Rome?
For me, it depends on what I'm reading at the time, but probably once or twice a week I'll come across something that makes me think of the Roman Republic or Empire.
Roman Empire, probably weekly or less. Life in other historical eras, daily.
In one way or another probably once a week. But for the last little while daily because I've been listening to first, a history of Rome podcast, and now a history of Byzantium podcast.
At least once a week. I listen/watch so many history related stuff that the Roman Empire always pops up in some way or other. For example this week I was watching a video on ancient naval combat.
Not that often. Bi-weekly, maybe. Unless you count in recognizing Roman things when someone's randomly inserting Roman themed clip-art into a meme or whatever. That stuff pops up every few days.
I think about early iron age European things (a.k.a "viking stuff") on a daily basis though.
I'm kind of a history nerd, but Roman Republic/high Roman Empire has never been a particular point of interest for me. Obviously though given the huge impact it had on general European history I'm familiar with it.
How often does something "cross my mind" that brings up Rome? Maybe weekly. How often do I deeply ponded it? Rarely. I've been on a Ukrainian history kick, but the Roman Empire really had only trading contacts with the area. There are no written records from the Scythians/early slavs, so the history of "Ukraine" doesn't really get going until those pesky vikings show up, which is well after the Roman era.
Byzantium of course is a different story, as I am a byzanto-fourtysomething. :shifty:
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2023, 12:43:08 PMByzantium of course is a different story, as I am a byzanto-fourtysomething. :shifty:
No proper Byzantine wouldn't consider Byzantium the Roman Empire :mad:
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2023, 12:43:08 PMHow often does something "cross my mind" that brings up Rome? Maybe weekly. How often do I deeply ponded it? Rarely. I've been on a Ukrainian history kick, but the Roman Empire really had only trading contacts with the area. There are no written records from the Scythians/early slavs, so the history of "Ukraine" doesn't really get going until those pesky vikings show up, which is well after the Roman era.
There was, by the by, a fantastic exhibition on the Scythians in the British Museum a few years ago - will have pubished some books on it if of interest:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2017/sep/17/scythians-warriors-of-ancient-siberia-british-museum-review
But I'm the same I probably think daily about something or other historical - but I've never really been into the classical world. Not sure why. What I think about probably fluctuates a bit depending on what I'm reading.
Quote from: celedhring on September 29, 2023, 12:52:02 PMQuote from: Barrister on September 29, 2023, 12:43:08 PMByzantium of course is a different story, as I am a byzanto-fourtysomething. :shifty:
No proper Byzantine wouldn't consider Byzantium the Roman Empire :mad:
Don't make frowny faces at me! :mad:
Byzantium is of course the continuation of the Roman Empire, and its residents continued to consider themselves "Roman", but it was a qualitatively different thing. It was Greek, not Latin. It was Orthodox, not Catholic (and certainly not Pagan). And it exists into a much different era than the western half of the Empire ever did.
I mean - there's a reason we have a whole different term for it, even if the term wasn't used by the people who resided there.
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2023, 12:43:08 PMThere are no written records from the Scythians/early slavs, so the history of "Ukraine" doesn't really get going until those pesky vikings show up, which is well after the Roman era.
Pontus ruled over Crimea and some of the coastal areas of the south during the era of Mithridates VI. I think the Romans managed to keep some influence there in the late Republic and early empire.
Quote from: Barrister on September 29, 2023, 12:57:36 PMQuote from: celedhring on September 29, 2023, 12:52:02 PMQuote from: Barrister on September 29, 2023, 12:43:08 PMByzantium of course is a different story, as I am a byzanto-fourtysomething. :shifty:
No proper Byzantine wouldn't consider Byzantium the Roman Empire :mad:
Don't make frowny faces at me! :mad:
Byzantium is of course the continuation of the Roman Empire, and its residents continued to consider themselves "Roman", but it was a qualitatively different thing. It was Greek, not Latin. It was Orthodox, not Catholic (and certainly not Pagan). And it exists into a much different era than the western half of the Empire ever did.
I mean - there's a reason we have a whole different term for it, even if the term wasn't used by the people who resided there.
Charlemagne's propaganda still working after all these years.
I approve btw :P
Quote from: Savonarola on September 29, 2023, 12:00:21 PMBased on the Tik-Tok craze; how often do you think about the glory that was Rome?
For me, it depends on what I'm reading at the time, but probably once or twice a week I'll come across something that makes me think of the Roman Republic or Empire.
Every day, every hour, every minute, every seconds. I can't stop thinking about these Troyan ships, filled with refugees en route toward Italy to found a new city that would one day become Rome.
And of course, the Byzantine. Who could forget about them? Their last heroic charge, where all hope was lost, all dreams were crushed?
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on September 29, 2023, 01:08:12 PMQuote from: Barrister on September 29, 2023, 12:43:08 PMThere are no written records from the Scythians/early slavs, so the history of "Ukraine" doesn't really get going until those pesky vikings show up, which is well after the Roman era.
Pontus ruled over Crimea and some of the coastal areas of the south during the era of Mithridates VI. I think the Romans managed to keep some influence there in the late Republic and early empire.
Oh for sure - the Romans controlled the cities along the black sea coast, and they did trade with the inhabitants further inland. Roman history isn't completely divorced from "ukrainian" history - but the overlap is prety small all things considered.
:huh: To be honest I always thought the Byzantine fanboi-ism was a bit :hmm:
Several times this week, as I visited the Roman baths in Bath Spa on Tuesday evening, since I was passing on my way back from Wales.
Weekly. Back when I was doing Roman re-enacting, daily.
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 29, 2023, 02:24:31 PM:huh: To be honest I always thought the Byzantine fanboi-ism was a bit :hmm:
Judith Herrin's book came out in all gold and I was: :wub:
Like lot of Euros I sort of do via abstract means almost daily- the only thing stopping it being daily is I don't necessarily leave the house every day.
I live something like 10 metres from the course of Hadrians Wall, just around the corner this fact is prominently marked on the pavement, lots of stuff is named for the fact around here, ranging from the authentic Fossway (the old course of the ditch near the wall) through to so many sports clubs, clinics, etc... being named Hadrian Doo-Dah.
More directly...yeah maybe weekly something I read leads me there.
Quote from: Josquius on September 29, 2023, 02:59:07 PMLike lot of Euros I sort of do via abstract means almost daily- the only thing stopping it being daily is I don't necessarily leave the house every day.
I live something like 10 metres from the course of Hadrians Wall, just around the corner this fact is prominently marked on the pavement, lots of stuff is named for the fact around here, ranging from the authentic Fossway (the old course of the ditch near the wall) through to so many sports clubs, clinics, etc... being named Hadrian Doo-Dah.
More directly...yeah maybe weekly something I read leads me there.
:cool:
Nice.
You guys have made me realise despite moving from Hungary to England, I have ever only lived within the former borders of tbe Roman Empire.
Quote from: Sheilbh on September 29, 2023, 02:24:31 PM:huh: To be honest I always thought the Byzantine fanboi-ism was a bit :hmm:
Well, from our pov, it's a bit weird. I suppose for people with a Greek heritage, it's different?
Byzantium has cool vibes in being "hidden" history.
You learn Rome ended in the early first millennium and that was that but then outside school you see this entire backup empire that was completely hidden for you and had an interesting millennium beyond the end of the western empire.
That and purple is cool.
Quote from: Tamas on September 29, 2023, 03:08:56 PMYou guys have made me realise despite moving from Hungary to England, I have ever only lived within the former borders of tbe Roman Empire.
Mmmmm... I seem to have spent just 4 years living outside of them myself.
Quote from: Josquius on September 29, 2023, 03:22:00 PMByzantium has cool vibes in being "hidden" history.
You learn Rome ended in the early first millennium and that was that but then outside school you see this entire backup empire that was completely hidden for you and had an interesting millennium beyond the end of the western empire.
That and purple is cool.
I mean - maybe it was hidden history in grade school...
It's just an epic tragic story. It survives the fall of the west, but continues to struggle against Persia. Just when they think Persia is beat, then come the arabs. They're involved in the Crusades. Then the turks slowly whittle them away. The 4th Crusade comes as a stab in the back, the rebirth, and then the ultimate fall. Just the siege in 1453 of Constantinople is epic enough.
Probably close to daily. I studied the later Roman Empire at university and half-heartedly try to keep up with the research. There are books about things Roman scattered in about every room in my house.
Quote from: garbon on September 29, 2023, 02:55:33 PMJudith Herrin's book came out in all gold and I was: :wub:
Including that one placed quite prominently :wub:
I'm also conscious of moving in and out of Roman territory while traveling around the country, even in my commute. I was born on Roman soil and prefer to be buried there as well.
I seldom think about the Roman Empire, but every couple of weeks some US politician will say or do something that causes me to harken back to the final years of the Roman Republic. Sometimes I even pick up The Storm Before the Storm to verify that what I recall is accurate.
Quote from: grumbler on September 29, 2023, 04:33:26 PMbut every couple of weeks some US politician will say or do something that causes me to harken back to the final years of the Roman Republic.
Ah, I am not alone!
To answer the initial question more seriously, I usually think of the Romans once in a while. There's always something reminding me of the Romans, a book mentioning something Roman, a movie, a tv show, a archeological discovery, etc.
It's hard to appreciated history, live in a western nation and never think of the Romans.
I don't think of it that often, probably monthly. Usually when I look at my map of the extensions of the Empire.
Whenever I read something, or see a show or movie. When i throw a Latin tag into conversation. Maybe once a week.
I'm currently reading the Aeneid. So, alot.
Interesting fact I learned recently. Turks still call Greeks who live in their country "Romans".
I think a lot about history every day. The Romans are often directly or indirectly relevant to whatever I'm thinking of. So several times a day.
A few times a week
Quote from: The Brain on September 30, 2023, 02:47:44 AMI think a lot about history every day. The Romans are often directly or indirectly relevant to whatever I'm thinking of. So several times a day.
Idem.
Rarely.
Only in mid-March, when I'm feeling stabby.
Especially in how it regards: Ottoman Empire.
What could the fascination be? :hmm:
FB_IMG_1695392167046.jpg
:lol:
Quote from: Sophie Scholl on October 02, 2023, 05:01:48 AMWhat could the fascination be? :hmm:
FB_IMG_1695392167046.jpg
:lol:
202 days ago.
:lol:
F9zOKVJWUAA4Fza.jpg
Quote from: Sophie Scholl on October 31, 2023, 06:00:15 PM:lol:
F9zOKVJWUAA4Fza.jpg
Just when I thought I'd stop thinking of Rome!
:lol:
The Colosseum hat is a great touch
I can't remember the last time I thought about it.
Quote from: Tonitrus on September 30, 2023, 10:18:07 AMOnly in mid-March, when I'm feeling stabby.
I wish I had said that
Quote from: crazy canuck on November 01, 2023, 09:25:46 PMI can't remember the last time I thought about it.
I'm reading the Saxon stories. I think the author thinks of the Romans very often. "Roman road". "old Roman fort". "the Romans did this, the Romans did that". "the Romans were these ancient, great people who were pagans, but father Beocca hated when I reminded him of that".
Gee. So, I do remember when last I thought of the Romans: this morning, around 5:00 am, when I woke up and I read part of these books. :sleep:
Didn't the Celts leave anything behind in Britain? Didn't the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes built anything when they arrived? Didn't the Vikings built their own damn forts? You'd swear only the Romans built anything worth mentioning in this Englaland country!
Quote from: viper37 on November 01, 2023, 10:05:54 PMQuote from: crazy canuck on November 01, 2023, 09:25:46 PMI can't remember the last time I thought about it.
I'm reading the Saxon stories. I think the author thinks of the Romans very often. "Roman road". "old Roman fort". "the Romans did this, the Romans did that". "the Romans were these ancient, great people who were pagans, but father Beocca hated when I reminded him of that".
Gee. So, I do remember when last I thought of the Romans: this morning, around 5:00 am, when I woke up and I read part of these books. :sleep:
Didn't the Celts leave anything behind in Britain? Didn't the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes built anything when they arrived? Didn't the Vikings built their own damn forts? You'd swear only the Romans built anything worth mentioning in this Englaland country!
A probably accurate representation of the views of dark ages people TBH.
We now know many of the Roman roads, forts, and so on were built over Celtic constructions, but that's a pretty recent development in histography. IIRC serious historians up to recent days were crediting everything to the Romans.
So some random English princeling in the 8th century?
Though the pagan focus is weird. I'd think at that point they would have thoroughly rewritten the history and focussed on the Romans as Christians.
Quote from: Josquius on November 02, 2023, 04:27:37 AMThough the pagan focus is weird. I'd think at that point they would have thoroughly rewritten the history and focussed on the Romans as Christians.
Constantine, God's Yorkshireman.
If only Julian was a better desert general
Quote from: Josquius on November 02, 2023, 04:27:37 AMQuote from: viper37 on November 01, 2023, 10:05:54 PMQuote from: crazy canuck on November 01, 2023, 09:25:46 PMI can't remember the last time I thought about it.
I'm reading the Saxon stories. I think the author thinks of the Romans very often. "Roman road". "old Roman fort". "the Romans did this, the Romans did that". "the Romans were these ancient, great people who were pagans, but father Beocca hated when I reminded him of that".
Gee. So, I do remember when last I thought of the Romans: this morning, around 5:00 am, when I woke up and I read part of these books. :sleep:
Didn't the Celts leave anything behind in Britain? Didn't the Angles, the Saxons and the Jutes built anything when they arrived? Didn't the Vikings built their own damn forts? You'd swear only the Romans built anything worth mentioning in this Englaland country!
A probably accurate representation of the views of dark ages people TBH.
We now know many of the Roman roads, forts, and so on were built over Celtic constructions, but that's a pretty recent development in histography. IIRC serious historians up to recent days were crediting everything to the Romans.
So some random English princeling in the 8th century?
I haven't thought of it that way.
Quote from: Josquius on November 02, 2023, 04:27:37 AMThough the pagan focus is weird. I'd think at that point they would have thoroughly rewritten the history and focussed on the Romans as Christians.
Uthred is a reluctant Christian at first, then a Norse Pagan, so he likes to tease Christians. I suspect the author is not much of a Christian himself. Christianity is rarely seen in a positive way.
Quote from: HVC on November 02, 2023, 07:47:43 AMIf only Julian was a better desert general
Or at least one that had his armor on.
Rereading all the classics these days. Lex Arcana, Cthulhu Invictus, ooh and look a shiny new kickstarter by the Achtung! Cthulhu guys set in 160AD called Cohors Cthulhu, talk about pulptastic!
(https://i.imgur.com/8kkdo4z.png)
The whole Roman Empire trope is an oversimplification. In the West, most men can be divided into three groups: those that think about the Roman Empire, those that think about the Third Reich/WW2, and those that think about the Emperor Charles V.
There are also some regional variations - Americans thinking about the ACW, French about Napoleon, Brits about the War of the Roses or Cromwell (lots of subregional variations there). Outside the West it varies still more.
I guess we were once again left to conclude that women are the only sensible ones.
Quote from: crazy canuck on November 07, 2023, 10:01:28 AMI guess we were once again left to conclude that women are the only sensible ones.
Is the Regency Era that much superior? :)
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on November 07, 2023, 10:03:41 AMQuote from: crazy canuck on November 07, 2023, 10:01:28 AMI guess we were once again left to conclude that women are the only sensible ones.
Is the Regency Era that much superior? :)
:D
I feel like the Scandinavian predilection - thinking about vikings - has spread beyond the fair shores of the North these last few years.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on November 07, 2023, 09:59:07 AMThe whole Roman Empire trope is an oversimplification.
What is the trope? This whole thread is Klingon to me.
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on November 07, 2023, 09:59:07 AMThe whole Roman Empire trope is an oversimplification. In the West, most men can be divided into three groups: those that think about the Roman Empire, those that think about the Third Reich/WW2, and those that think about the Emperor Charles V.
Run into countless folks who do one or two, or the regional subcategories below, I don't think I've ever run into Charles V fanboy, though I assume they must exist.
I'm certainly no Charles V fanboy but I *think* about the Hapsburgs quite a lot more than the Roman Empire.
You a fan of strong jawlines?
FC Copenhagen beats Man U at home, 4-3.
Right now FCK is in second place in their group (4 points. Bayern Munich is in first (12 poionts). Galatasaray is in 3rd (4 points), and Man U in fourth (also with 4 points).
Quote from: Jacob on November 08, 2023, 07:43:44 PMFC Copenhagen beats Man U at home, 4-3.
Right now FCK is in second place in their group (4 points. Bayern Munich is in first (12 poionts). Galatasaray is in 3rd (4 points), and Man U in fourth (also with 4 points).
While the Romans did rule Manchester for centuries, they never controlled Copenhagen, so I'm not sure this is the correct thread for this post.
:lol:
Oopsies. I'll leave it here because it's funny, but repost in the soccer thread. Could've sworn it was the right thread....
Quote from: The Minsky Moment on November 07, 2023, 10:03:41 AMQuote from: crazy canuck on November 07, 2023, 10:01:28 AMI guess we were once again left to conclude that women are the only sensible ones.
Is the Regency Era that much superior? :)
It's all about aesthetics
(https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-9zhx02uo/images/stencil/640w/products/2366/5647/Regency_-_Front_Cover_-_700x912__78929.1666648519.png?c=2)
(https://d1vzi28wh99zvq.cloudfront.net/images/10968/256616.jpg)
Quote from: Jacob on November 07, 2023, 12:46:06 PMI feel like the Scandinavian predilection - thinking about vikings - has spread beyond the fair shores of the North these last few years.
Metal music helps.
And the Vikings tv show.
Lots of people called "Lothbrok" or using scandinavian spelling for their name on metal groups these last few years.
Well, some Swedes think about the Swedish empire days also, but I imagine our neighbours don't dwell on that too much.
Once when I was out and campaigned politically I got to talking with an old man that seriously wanted Sweden to re-establish the empire and invade the Baltic nations. He didn't quite answer me when I asked what why we would want them.
Riga is a lovely place. :)
Quote from: Threviel on November 27, 2023, 01:49:39 AMOnce when I was out and campaigned politically I got to talking with an old man that seriously wanted Sweden to re-establish the empire and invade the Baltic nations. He didn't quite answer me when I asked what why we would want them.
The first time, it was to piss off Russia, and that was a good enough reason.
Nowadays, there's not much reasons anymore since they're independent and they piss off Russia on their own...
:P