I really didn’t think the whole ‘Roman Empire’ thing was true – until I asked my dad. I asked a handful of guy friends in the past few days and the response was always “oh yeah, at least once a week” or even “once a day”. I have to admit I thought it was just them hopping on the trend. Then I asked Dad, a man without a TikTok account, and he said: “Every time I look at a road.”
Let’s start with the origins of the trend. It actually began in 2022 but was popularised in August by history buff Gaius Flavius with his Instagram reel that read: ‘Ladies, many of you do not realise how often men think about the Roman Empire.’ I understand why many doubted him at first, his content revolves around Roman reenactment! However, 1.9 billion TikTok views later – Flavius’ theory has left women across the world shocked and bewildered as their boyfriends, brothers and fathers fess up to their obsession.
So, if men can’t stop thinking about the Roman Empire, what can women not get out of their heads? There is heavy debate online trying to find the ultimate ‘Girl Version.’ Taylor Swift is a standout favourite, the label ‘girl version’ does feel like an offshoot of ‘Taylor’s Version.’ Mamma Mia is up there too – a favourite of my friends when asked over Friday night cocktails, was Meryl singing her heart out to ‘The Winner Takes It All.’ Mysteries like the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and what truly happened to JFK feature heavily. Also in that vein is the tragedy of the Titanic – (if you’re interested you HAVE TO listen to ‘Truthtanic’, a new podcast I have in my rotation). Tom Holland dancing to ‘Umbrella’ on Lip Sync Battle is a personal favourite! But the one that stopped me in my tracks was the TV show Normal People – and more specifically Paul Mescal.
In the era of ‘girl dinner’ and ‘girl math’, women and men feel separated. Perhaps it was the Barbie movie’s message of reflecting on ‘Girlhood’ that has so many women embracing their femininity in a way that’s entirely separate from men. This has been so fun and cathartic. It has given women a space to feel heard. Somewhere they can uplift friends from their childhood, talk about the ridiculous snacks they eat or calculate the cost per wear of their favourite bag. But there is a flip side. Women and men feel divided. Common interests now feel gendered. Maybe the revelation that women and men don’t quite think the same feels like some kind of confirmation of our differences. Men can’t get Rome off their minds – why? Is it because it was the ‘peak’ of masculinity, a society built on the shoulders of strong men? Is this why for many women the Victorian Era is their version, as women like the Bronte sisters or Jane Austen were celebrated for their talents?
But I have a theory on what we can agree upon – Paul Mescal. Our beloved Irish actor gives his talents to ‘girl favourite’ Connell Waldron but also will be starring in the new Gladiator movie. He meshes together the interests of men and women. Men can view him as the embodiment of masculinity – taking the torch from 00s Russell Crowe. Women can still view him as the vulnerable character they fell in love with in Normal People, with the added benefit that he’s probably going to look amazing!
Let’s be real, none of these things are women’s true Roman Empire. The thing women cannot stop thinking about is their safety. Many more worrying things bounce around women’s heads day to day. And I’m sure it is the same for men – that’s what makes us human. However, those silly little thoughts of the Roman Empire or anything similar are so fun to express. I think we’d all rather focus on the little things than the bad. I’m glad men can spend their days fantasising about gladiator fights and the invention of central heating, but I’m even more glad women are finding ways to fantasise too!