Roman Revisionism and the Crisis of the American Republic Gaius and Germanicus discuss the 21st-century revisionism of Rome, which they find entertaining, noting that it presents figures like Domitian as successful and Nero as misunderstood. They counter

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John Batchelor

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🗓️ 13 October 2025

⏱️ 10 minutes

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Summary

Roman Revisionism and the Crisis of the American Republic

Gaius and Germanicus discuss the 21st-century revisionism of Rome, which they find entertaining, noting that it presents figures like Domitian as successful and Nero as misunderstood. They counter the revisionist view that the Roman Republic was vital by asserting that Rome was perpetually embroiled in civil war until the ultimate resolution by an emperor. This leads to the central question of whether the American Republic is in a late stage heading toward an emperor. They debate whether political strife signals societal vitality or decadence, noting that while conflict in U.S. history was sometimes resolved by figures like Franklin Delano Roosevelt or McKinley, the late Roman Republic required the intervention of "big men" like the triumvirates (Pompey and Caesar). The speakers suggest the current American political structure and unsustainable economic inequality may require a major adjustment, echoing the Roman path. They conclude by heading off to make a sacrifice to the great god Augustus.

1876 NERO AND TORCHES FOR CHRISTIANS

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0:25.6	This is the Friends of History Debating Society. I'm Gaius. Germanicus is here and we've enjoyed ourselves with some big themes today.
0:30.6	Carthage always entertaining. To us, Rome is entertaining. To us.
0:36.6	Carthage. We've talked to Sulla, who retired to the Bay of Naples
0:41.4	and watched dancing and associated with young people and died quietly in the Bay of Naples.
0:48.9	An unusual end for a man who led to the guided Rome to the deaths of about 500 very well-to-do people, some of whom were senators.
0:59.1	We talked of, ah, yes, the massacre of the Jews at Masada, certainly the destruction of the temple,
1:07.4	and then later on, 140 ADD. Barcocca destroyed.
1:13.1	We've spoken of large events in which Rome's response is make a wasteland.
1:19.6	You can call it peace.
1:21.3	And that is the Roman style.
1:23.1	That was Carthaginians piece.
1:25.6	So now we come to something that's more fun, which is revisionism of
1:28.9	Rome in the 21st century to make it more acceptable to the guidelines of the 21st century.
1:36.7	Germanicus, there's a new book that presents demission as successful, Titus as not so successful, Nero as misunderstood, I enjoy that.
1:49.0	And the Civil War is something that was always more posited than it was actual.
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