Have you been seeing a lot of videos on TikTok asking the question, “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?” Well, you’re not alone! This viral trend has taken off on the popular social media platform, and we’re here to give you all the details on how it started and which celebrities have participated so far.
The trend began with a video posted by Swedish influencer Arthur Hulu back in August. Arthur, who is a Roman reenactor, challenged women to ask their husbands, boyfriends, fathers, or brothers how often they think about the Roman Empire. In his video, he confidently stated, “Ladies, many of you do not realize how often men think about the Roman Empire. Ask your husband/boyfriend/father/brother – you will be surprised by their answers!”
And surprised they were! Within a month, the trend exploded, with thousands of videos being posted across social media platforms. The hashtag #RomanEmpire has garnered over a billion views on TikTok alone! It seems like everyone wants to know just how much the men in their lives think about ancient Rome.
The trend has gained so much attention that it even caught the eye of the hosts of “The Today Show.” During a segment, co-host Carson Daly shared his own thoughts on the matter. “I do, every day,” said Carson. “First of all, the movie Gladiator is in every guy’s top five favorite movies. Joe Rogan’s podcast is wildly popular, and there’s this trend to have this modern understanding of ancient philosophies like stoicism, cold plunging is a big thing right now, keto. Looking for guidance and self-improvement and it all harkens back to Marcus Aurelius. This is the Roman Empire.”
It’s clear that the trend has struck a chord with many people, including celebrities. While Carson Daly was the only celebrity mentioned in the source, many others have also participated in the trend, sharing their own videos on TikTok. From actors and musicians to influencers and athletes, it seems like everyone wants to join in on the conversation about the Roman Empire.
So, the next time you’re scrolling through TikTok and come across a video asking about the Roman Empire, know that you’re witnessing one of the platform’s biggest trends. Who knew that ancient history could make such a splash in the digital age?
