When in America, Do as the Romans Do

For centuries, the Roman Empire reigned as one of the most supreme and powerful civilizations that ever existed. Even after its fall, Rome continued to be considered the epitome of society and culture and became an aspiration... [ view full abstract ]

For centuries, the Roman Empire reigned as one of the most supreme and powerful civilizations that ever existed. Even after its fall, Rome continued to be considered the epitome of society and culture and became an aspiration for future nations to come. The revival of classical culture, inspired by the achievements of the classical world, developed in early 14th century Europe. This attraction to classical antiquity and the tendency of using Rome as a model remains prevalent in our modern society. This presentation will examine some of the references and allusions made to the Roman Empire in American pop culture and focus on the Oscar-winning film Gladiator and Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, which are only some of numerous examples that reveal our obsession with Rome, or at least the idea behind it. The investigation of this topic aims to understand how Roman elements are depicted in the media and why the American culture perceives the Roman empire a certain way.