Here’s Why Men Think About The Roman Empire (Become Your Own Hero)
One of my favorite discoveries on the internet in recent years has been the extent to which many men secretly contemplate about the growth and destiny of Ancient Rome.
As frequently as twice a week (for me at least), the Roman Empire is contemplated around all walks of life, from students to firefighters to top executives.
I really do think it is because there are profound meditations on the rise and fall of the greatest empires we have ever seen, and we all want our own “hero story” like those of the Roman Empire.
What was formerly thought to be a fringe interest or mandatory reading for high schoolers now is a primary focus of the masculine imagination.
The History
We may not truly understand the male thought pattern (although my wife says it is very simple and linear), but we can make some generalizations.
Part of what awes men is the spectacle of Rome in her prime, the Rome of Trajan (53-117 A.D.) and Marcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.), the Rome of 250,000 miles of impeccable roads that stretched from the highlands of Northern Britannia to the gates of Antioch on the Persian frontier; the Rome of aqueducts and baths, Stoic philosophers and civic-minded generals, equitable laws and vast libraries.
When most of the rest of the world lived in huts and wore animal skins as clothes, these metropolitan Romans were laughing at ironic jokes at a theatre, relaxing in marble-lined buildings, and hosting seven-course dinner parties featuring fish and aged wines.
But these factors wouldn’t capture the male heart if it weren’t for a few more elements:
The Roman Empire does fall.
Starting with the humiliating retreat from Britain in 407, the sack of the capital in 410 by Alaric’s savage Visigoths, the destruction of Rome’s aqueducts in 537 by the Ostrogoths, and with sheep grazing in the fields where proud armies had prepared before departing to conquer countless territories.
However, we can’t forget the intellectual advancements and brawn of the Roman Empire.
Not all of us are nerds about the historical aspects of Rome.
Many of us Rome-focused men are thinking of ourselves – what can we learn and apply in our lifestyles?
Take first the gladiators or warriors.
How did they cultivate their bravery?
How did they stay in shape?
How did the philosophers became so wise?
How did the kings became skilled in controlling such a vast territory?
Truth is, Rome rose to a height and then had a downfall.
The tale of Rome’s rise and fall is both a very specific historical event and a metaphor of every man’s path from infancy to old age, from intellect to dementia, and from fame to destruction.
We too are destined to pass from youth to adult leadership and authority, and ultimately to shame and extinction, just like the Rome of Brutus.
Rome’s history offers a perfect viewpoint of some of the most raw parts of being human.
Rome’s history is an emotional tale.
We can be saddened by the destruction of the temples and castles or the assassinations of leaders through a documentary or vacation to Italy, and then go on with our lives relatively calmly.
And living calmly is not realistic if we had to face the full reality of the coming decline in our mental faculties or the gradual but already significant loss of our physical strength, like the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.
But we don’t have to long over a picture of ourselves when we were eighteen years old, smiling at the beach with our friends, not realizing the difficulties that lay ahead.
The Rome-focused man is using history for what it is most suited to: realizing the severity of our individual, unheroic existence.
What should astonish us in the end is not how frequently some people think of Rome, but how rarely the rest of us do.
Become Your Own Hero
But you can make your life heroic.
Who are today’s heroes?
Beyond the world’s supermen and batmen, we see firefighters saving our children from burning buildings, police officers keeping us safe, and soldiers defending our country.
We see philanthropists raising millions for charity and doctor’s saving lives.
But that also includes the man providing for his family and feeling fulfilled and the nomad traveling the world and living out his purpose.
It is performing feats of bravery AND a sense of inner purpose that is heroic.
But is a heroic existence only available to a chosen few?
Not at all; heroism is not associated with any vocation or superhuman skill.
Heroes are ordinary people who perform great feats of body, mind, and heart.
So here are my steps to living this way.
First, we start with body.
If you’re reading this, you probably have at least some interest in exercise.
Like the Roman soldiers and gladiators, we must practice discipline with our body.
Our bodies are capable of much more than we think.
Start with walks.
Walk during work breaks.
Walk with a friend or a romantic partner.
Walk your dog.
Walking will engage you in lateral eye movements (basically just looking side to side) which is used in psychology to help distress both the body and mind.
But push your limits a bit too.
Train hard.
Lift weights.
See what your body is capable of.
As a start, three full body workout days will be key.
Nourish your body.
Food is enjoyment, but it also is fuel.
There must be a balance.
If you want to be a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, you shouldn’t put the lower quality fuel in your vessel.
Sleep. Dance.
Drink water.
Get a massage.
You are worth it and deserve it.
Taking care of your body will also take care of your mind, but we can do more.
We live in a society of consumption, like many of the Romans did.
But those that rose above lived in a bubble of creativity and creation.
Listen to the sounds of the world around you, like the birds chirping on a Saturday morning or the beauty of a melody that you enjoy.
Study and practice something – it can be anything.
Let go and forgive those who have wronged you.
Empty your mind via journaling, planning, and meditation.
Fill your mind with reading, learning, and socialization.
Use your mind with creation, output, and focus.
Balance productivity, clarity, and creativity.
This is the formula.
But we must not forget about your heart and soul.
Immerse yourself in truth.
Practice prayer/gratitude.
Because odds are, if you are reading this on a digital device, things are probably pretty okay for you in the grand scheme of things.
Make time to laugh.
Dream without limits, but also be content with where you are.
Make time to be alone without distractions; ponder your thoughts and ideas.
Give goodwill to others.
You get what you give.
But above all, embrace the unknown.
Like the Roman Empire, we too will fall one day.
We don’t know when that will be, but live in balance.
Live half of your life like you will live 60 days and half of your life like you will live 60 years.
You can make your impact on those around you and live a life filled with purpose.
Be your own hero.
And if you need more help with maximizing a busy schedule, or with proper training and nutrition to build muscle, lose fat, or improve your health markers, fill out the application below and I will reach out when I have spots available!
Best regards
Dr. CP