Had an amusing run-in this evening. I'm an odd sort with all kinds of useless knowledge about history and lit, so I'll slip easily into conversation about a wide range of historical eras...
And then sometimes (like tonight) have to stop when I realize I'm dealing with a Roman Empire Bro, a dude for whom a very specific depiction of key figures and major events is tied into their sense of masculinity.
🙃
There are SO many gender identities weirder than the ones people try to legislate against.
@MLClark glad to assist. 😉
You bring so much freaking joy to the feed. 😊
I'm in the unusual position of being a former Classics major who loves Latin and detests the Roman Empire: a bunch of arrogant, militaristic, sexist, literally imperialistic slave-owners who bulldozed everything in their path and, worst of all, left behind a legend of power that's been the hollow center of the past 1500 years of "Western civilization" and most of its sins.
But even that is probably better than the imaginary Rome of these bros.
It is indeed!
A more well-rounded understanding of the region and era, joined with an awareness of historiography's full impact on our ability to access any knowledge of both, is always a delight - and the foundation of many wonderful chats in my experience.
The fantasies those bros are huffing? Decidedly not.
I wish you many good, enriching conversations far, far from their sort.
@MLClark I like to point out to those bros that the Roman empire collapsed, so they weren't good at whatever they were doing to actually survive.
@MLClark a Romosexual?