About Bread and Circuses
Post 1764:
I’ve been reading about Rome my whole life. Watching old movies. It’s fascinating, full stop. Now that I’ve seen the ancient sites and physically walked where they walked, I have a few reflections.
The Romans were frigging hardcore. They did everything next-level. You look at some of the buildings and think that they were constructed a couple thousand years ago and if you’re not astonished, I don’t know what to tell you.
I think it’s the way they set up their society. They valued honor and achievement above all else, and ironically, loathed anyone that tried to fly too high for too long. That’s why they got rid of the kings in the 6th century B.C. It’s clever because it’s almost a paradox. Cultivate a bunch of egomanics to build and conquer and leave their mark, but don’t let one egomaniac blow it. Other societies crumbled because one great leader died. These people had a system. You know, until the Caesars.
Now, it was cruel and horrible and it’s hard to think about all the suffering that went into making these incredible treasures. The old days were seriously rough. It’s humbling to try relating to the misery and the genius that went into their society.
We haven’t changed much. The world has changed, but not us. If you come to Rome to see the sights and do the deals, you’ll notice that some people are there simply to photograph themselves next to a thing. It’s a photo op and there’s no way thinking or learning is going to get in the way.
Some people are pretty superficial. Check the box. Post the deal. Be an exhibit in the circus-world we find ourselves in.
And then I think about my approach. I want the facts and dates and stories of every rock and column, how this was built and by whom and by the way were the Romans really that hardcore? I’m better. Because I look at the home of Bread and Circuses as interesting while others simply take-picture-move-on-next-thing-take-picture, get selfie with statue of dead person.
But I’m not better. My joy is actually strange and messed up, if I dare think about it. My bread and circuses is going around finding the lives of people that really struggled and faced crazy stuff we can’t imagine interesting in some sort of voyeuristic way. I think the Tik Tok people dancing next to Raphael’s tomb might be ethically superior. If only I was a better dancer.
I’m still in Italy. I’m going to go eat a loaf of bread. Cheers and see you after.
