The grim things women are really thinking about every day – as bizarre theory reveals men think about the ‘Roman Empire’ three to five times a week

Australia
By William

By Shania Obrien for Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A bizarre new trend on social media claims men are thinking about the Roman Empire ‘at least’ three times a week – but what unusual things are on women’s minds?

The sudden interest in the Roman Empire started in August, after Sweden-based Roman reenactor Gaius Flavius ​​shared an Instagram video with the caption: ‘Ladies, many of you don’t realize how often men think about the Roman Empire .’

It resulted in a strange coincidence where men all over the world revealed that ancient Rome came to mind several times a week.

According to the crowd, women think in a similar way about their best friend from high school, Pride and Prejudice (2005), Rory Gilmore, the Titanic, Taylor Swift and Tom Holland’s cover of Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’.

As thousands have joined in to imagine what ‘their’ Roman Empire is, a worrying number of people have pointed to topics such as true crime, the fear of being kidnapped or murdered, or past atrocities such as the witch trials.

“I can’t understand this trend in the Roman Empire – people say the female equivalent is murder,” wrote American woman Win.

“Whether we are killed or someone else is killed, we think about it a lot. What does this say about men and women? It’s such a strange discovery, I’m so confused.’

Another, Gabs, offered a more detailed version of why she thinks about being targeted every day.

“My ‘Roman Empire’ goes to a gas station and doesn’t make eye contact with anyone. It looks over my shoulder wondering if I’m being followed or just paranoid.

“It wonders if I’m fast enough to escape a dangerous situation, or strong enough to face it. I think about this every day, when I’m in the supermarket, at the gas station, or when I’m walking.’

On a lighter note, Kat shared that many women fantasize about their future “all the time.”

“Women are thinking about decorating our future homes, planning our weddings, looking at everyday things and wondering what they would look like in our living rooms,” she said.

On a lighter note, Kat shared that many women fantasize about their future “all the time.”

What is the women’s version of the ‘Roman Empire?’

  • Their best friend from high school
  • The Titanic
  • Pride and Prejudice (2005)
  • Being murdered or kidnapped
  • Taylor Swift
  • Their wedding day
  • Marry rich
  • Plan escape routes from any situation

What do historians think about the trend in the Roman Empire?

According to historians, the dramatic retellings of Roman history in Western societies may be causing men to associate it with masculinity.

Hannah Cornwell, a historian of the ancient world at Britain’s University of Birmingham, theorized that these could be the images conjured up when Ancient Rome is mentioned – spurred on by Hollywood dramatizations like Gladiator and Spartacus.

She told me WashingtonPost the first thing that comes to mind when you talk about ancient Rome is ‘an image of the Roman legion, the imperial eagle and military aspects like that.’

She added: “Along with gladiators, which has long been associated with masculinity and power.”

Ancient Rome historian Lewis Webb said that the publication Ancient Rome was “patriarchal and violent,” which could be why men find it so intriguing.

“But it was also a diverse place,” he added. “There were numerous forms of masculinity, women could have agency and power, and there were multiple gender expressions and identities, as well as different sexualities.”

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