Pro tempore, No. 20, 2025.
Pregledni rad
America as the “New” Rome—Analysis of the Narrative of Continuity and “Fall” of Rome and Classical Symbolism in American History (Summary)
Kristina Husinec
Sažetak
The Roman world, whether during the Republic or the Empire, has remained in the cultural memory of Europe and Western civilization ever since its disappearance, and in many of its aspects it has inspired later empires and states. The United States, after a long relay, at one point symbolically adopted the Roman eagle as the leading power of the West. From the very founding of the United States and its Constitution, neoclassical connections with antiquity and the cradles of democracy have been emphasized, while the capital, Washington—home to the government and the Senate—bears the same legacy on Capitol Hill. The penetration of “Roman culture” into society, however, is much broader and more varied— from Las Vegas and the leisure industry all the way to the recently popular TikTok trend, “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?” Indeed, some have declared that they think about the Roman Empire (almost) daily, which makes it clear that beyond “classicism” and republicanism, another narrative has emerged, linking Rome and contemporary America. For some, the appeal lies in the Empire’s grandeur, strength, and virility; others see parallels between Roman and American expansionist tendencies and multiethnicity; while still others are intrigued by the comparison between the figure and charisma of the president and that of the emperor (or Caesar). Among all the imagologies and narratives of recent decades, the most pressing question—or perhaps more aptly, fear—is whether the U.S. shares the same fate as Rome. This paper seeks to explore precisely how that narrative and symbolism have been developed or contested across different administrations and presidential eras, through an analysis of scholarly, popular-scientific, and journalistic discourse over the decades. In this discourse, the progression is evident: from legitimization to glorification of the system, and gradually into warnings directed at America under the perceived threat of losing primacy and undergoing transformation. The focus is on five major and recurring comparative narratives: the republic, the empire, decadence and decline, “barbarians” and migrants, and personal comparisons of Trump with ancient autocrats and populists. The emphasis, however, is on the 21st century and administrations such as that of George W. Bush after the events of September 11, 2001—with the then-popular idea of defensive imperialism—as well as the administration of current president Donald Trump, especially in the wake of the January 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol and the most recent elections.
Ključne riječi
myth; narrative; Roman Republic; Roman Empire; Fall of Civilisation; George W. Bush; Donald Trump
Hrčak ID:
349383
URI
Datum izdavanja:
20.9.2025.
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