You can be forgiven for assuming that the phrase “Roman Empire” refers to the large expanse of land acquired by the Ancient Romans. Because, that is often what’s meant by it. However, TikTok helped to give the phrase a new meaning entirely. This article is going to explain everything you need to know on the topic…
We will kick things off with a simple explanation before going into the details of how the slang term emerged and came to dominate, much like the actual Roman empire. Then we’ll cover how you can use the term, complete with a few handy examples for better understanding and context. After that, we’ll be rounding off with a section on comparable words and phrases that can sometimes be substituted in place of the phrase.
And without further ado, let’s get down to the nitty gritty!
What’s the meaning of the phrase “My Roman Empire”?
The slang phrase “Roman Empire,” and in particular “my Roman Empire,” refers to something a person thinks about very frequently or intensely, almost to the point of obsession.
It’s the opposite of a passing thought, something you might find yourself dwelling on, similar to how the Roman Empire, might be a subject of prolonged contemplation for some people.
It’s the topic you find yourself turning to, when there is nothing particularly engaging or entertaining going on around you, like a recurring thought or theme, or some kind of personal fascination.
What’s the origin of the phrase “My Roman Empire”?
There was a trend that started on Instagram and later spread across to TikTok as well, which involved content creators on the apps posting videos of themselves randomly asking men what’s their Roman Empire. They used the phrase “Roman Empire” to describe anything that a person thinks about frequently, whether it’s a historical event, a favorite movie, celebrity, and so on.
This trend is believed by many to have originated from the instagram user @gaiusflavius, who was a Roman reenactor, who suggested that men think about the Roman Empire more often than women realise. His Instagram reels went viral.
Following this, in the latter half of 2023, the trend began to spread to TikTok as well, gaining even more traction. Then the trend went further still, being mentioned on more social media platforms, and even appearing on radio stations and TV shows as well. Of course, this was also picked up by Google Trends, and prompted discussion on what people think about obsessively whenever they are free to do so.
It may have started as a lighthearted question, but the trend has really highlighted how cultural phenomena can be amplified through social media. Many women were surprised by the frequency with which men thought about the Roman Empire, leading to further discussions about the phenomenon and its potential meanings. It has sparked discussions and prompted deeper reflections about masculinity, historical interests, and the nature of obsessions in general.
Some people have suggested that the trend highlights a fascination with historical narratives, while others have viewed it as a reflection of male interest in power, strategy, and maybe even a romanticised view of masculinity. Especially since Ancient Rome was patriarchal on a scale that would make modern feminists literally lose their mind.
How you can use the phrase “My Roman Empire” - featuring example usage
Here are some examples of the phrase “Roman Empire” in use in sentences for added context:
- What about you? What’s your “Roman Empire”?
- I was quite surprised at his response when asked how often he thinks about the Roman Empire.
- The Oracle of Delphi is my Roman Empire.
- 9/11 conspiracy theories are my Roman Empire.
- The film Sliding Doors is my Roman Empire. What if there’s no avoiding destiny and fate?
- My Roman Empire is the sinking of the Titanic. I wrote my thesis on it.
- The film The Matrix is my Roman Empire. Such a mindbender. What if reality is just a crazy good illusion?
- My beloved husband was my Roman Empire. Still is even after he’s gone from us.
- Baking is my Roman Empire. I love how just tweaking one ingredient here and there can yield such different results.
- As a trained wine connoisseur, wine pairings are my Roman Empire. Whenever I plan to cook a meal, I straight away start to think about what wine would go best with it.
- The romantasy genre is my new Roman Empire. I have so many book boyfriends I need a little black book to list them all in.
- The lost Library of Alexandria is my Roman Empire. So much has been lost.
- My Roman Empire? The 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th month.
- Well, we know what Greta Thunberg’s Roman Empire is - the climate crisis.
- As a tribute act I’d have to say that Elvis Presley’s songs are my Roman Empire.
What words and phrases are synonymous with the phrase “My Roman Empire”?
There are many words and phrases that are similar and synonymous with “my Roman Empire” and can often be used in its place. Here are some examples you might choose to use:
- Obsession
- Zahir
- Fascination
- Preoccupation
- Hobby
- Interest
- Fixation
- Impactful event
- Dominating thought/memory
Final word
So, to sum up, when people use the phrase “my Roman Empire” in slang, they are not referring to the actual Roman Empire, but are instead referring to their foremost thoughts and preoccupation that they find themselves thinking about on a frequent basis.
People started using the phrase “Roman Empire“ in this way following an Instagram trend started by @gaiusflavius. This trend involved content creators posting videos of themselves asking people how often they thought about the Roman Empire. The term “Roman Empire” came to refer to whatever it was the person regularly or frequently thought about when not occupied with a particular task. When the trend spread to TikTok, TV and radio, the term went into the mainstream. It sparked a great deal of reflection and discussion and helped us learn a lot more about ourselves.
