MY ROMAN EMPIRES
Here are a few of my recurring Roman Empires that I think about on a weekly, sometimes daily basis
Let’s be real, everyone knows the Roman Empire was the greatest empire in all of history. If you didn’t know that, it might be time to dust off a history book or, at the very least, use Google. The Romans basically invented the greatest hits of civilization: law, culture, technology, arts, religion, government, language, military, architecture—you name it, they nailed it. At its peak, their empire covered a mere 2.3 million square miles, conquering most of Europe, Northern Africa, and a good chunk of western Asia like it was no big deal.
I bring this up for two reasons: (1) I just saw Gladiator II in theaters on Thursday, and (2) it’s officially my new Roman Empire. What do I mean by “my new Roman Empire”? Basically, Gladiator II is my latest hyperfixation–the movie I’ll be quoting, Googling, and annoying my friends about (specifically about how much I love Paul Mescal–my Irish king–and Pedro Pascal) for at least the next month. If you’re not familiar, calling something your “Roman Empire” is a new trendy TikTok slang for the thing you just can’t stop thinking about. It was created by girls on TikTok to poke fun at the fact that so many guys apparently think about the actual Roman Empire way too much. How they were able to expose this fact, I’ll never know.
While new pop culture trends and life events come and go, there are always those same core hyperfixations and memories that consistently resurface. So much so that I made a list (in no particular order) of a few of my recurring Roman Empires that I think about on a weekly, sometimes daily basis:
1. Woodstock Music Festival
Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock, 1969
As someone whose parents were born in the 60s, I grew up listening to many rock legends who defined that era—The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, and Bob Dylan, to name a few. Their music became the soundtrack of my childhood, from car rides to lazy Sundays at home. When I first learned about Woodstock, I got FOMO from missing a once-in-a-lifetime moment where all the artists I admired came together on one stage (even though I wasn’t even born at the time, I still got FOMO). Of course, I want to clarify that my FOMO didn’t extend to the less glamorous side of Woodstock—the mudslides, overcrowding, lack of basic amenities, and general chaos that plagued the event. Instead, it was the sheer collaboration of so many cultural icons performing live at what has since become one of the most legendary festivals of all time that captivated me. I can’t help but compare it to today’s polished, curated festivals like Lollapalooza and Coachella. It represents a snapshot of a generation that embraced music in its purest form, flaws and all.
2. UNC beating Duke in the 2022 final four
Coach K’s Retirement Party - April 2, 2022 (Photo by Peyton Sickles, Chatham News & Record)
As a born and raised southern Tar Heel fan, I was thrown into the love-hate (mostly hate) relationship that UNC has with Duke. The rivalry between UNC and Duke is practically a way of life. For Tar Heel fans, a UNC vs. Duke game isn’t just about basketball; it’s about pride, history, and bragging rights that stretch across families, workplaces, and entire communities. The rivalry runs so deep that we even end our alma mater with a spirited “Go to Hell Duke!” The tension leading up to a game is unmatched. You know when they’re coming, and you mark the calendar. The ultimate victory that solidified my decision to go to UNC–a peak moment of Tar Heel glory that lives rent-free in my head–was Coach K’s final game during the 2022 Final Four. The narrative couldn’t have been more perfect: one of the most celebrated coaches in college basketball, coaching his final game, only to have the Tar Heels crash the party. Watching that victory unfold, I was witnessing history. It’s the kind of game that reminds you why this rivalry is so special: the passion, the stakes, and the fact that anything can happen. From the deafening cheers to the heartbreak of losses, being a Tar Heel in this rivalry is not for the faint of heart—but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
3. The sinking of the Titanic
Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater aboard the RMS Titanic - April 15, 1912 (Photographer unknown)
Somehow, the story never gets old for me, and yes, Titanic (the movie) only fuels my obsession. One of my earliest memories is learning about the Titanic on a field trip with my pre-school. We took a train to Raleigh to see the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, all while wearing our cute little tie-dyed shirts. The one exhibition I specifically remember was the Titanic artifact exhibition. Upon entering this exhibit each person is given a boarding pass with the name of an actual passenger on the Titanic's maiden voyage and you follow to the end and see if your person survived. My interest in the Titanic only peaked from there. In elementary school, I re-read the same book over and over again. It was a diary that belonged to a little girl who was aboard the Titanic. I was so fixated over the humanity of it all–the way the band played on as the ship sank, the lifeboats that weren’t filled to capacity, and the haunting last words of those aboard–all these details create a story that feels too surreal to be true. And yet, here I am, decades later, still wondering if I would’ve been smart enough to find a door big enough to float on.
4. The Irish Revolution
“Ireland for the Irish. British Murderers Go Home” - A protest banner during the Irish Revolution
Any piece of history where you throw in some drama and Irish culture, I’m hooked. After visiting Ireland this past summer and learning more about the culture, the history, and the places where my ancestors came from, I have been down so many rabbit holes about the Irish Revolution. The Irish Revolution–often referred to as the fight for independence–spanned the early 20th century and was as tumultuous as it was inspiring. It was a battle for sovereignty and a testament to the resilience and identity of the Irish people. One thing I learned while visiting Ireland is that their native Gaelic language was almost wiped out entirely during the Revolution because the Irish language itself became a symbol of resistance. During this period, organizations like The Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaeilge) encouraged people to reclaim their native tongue as a form of defiance against the cultural genocide of British influence. While Gaelic is still seen on road signs and buildings around Ireland, people aren’t as fluent as they used to be. What makes Ireland’s history even more compelling is its resilience and ability to find beauty in hardship. Visiting Ireland made me realize how history and culture are so deeply intertwined there. The Irish have always found a way to keep their stories alive. And now, I find myself diving deeper and deeper into those stories, with no intention of stopping anytime soon.
5. “AUBURN’S GONNA WIN THE FOOTBALL GAME” Auburn’s 2013 Kick Six
Auburn Kick Six, 2013 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GKmkD1pUG0
The Kick Six: arguably the single greatest moment in college football chaos. The audacity, the disbelief, the pure electricity–I relive it in my mind like I was there. I remember watching it happen live on the TV when I was little and seeing the pure astoundment on my dad’s face when Chris Davis caught the ball just in front of the goalposts. With a burst of speed, he tore across the entire field, dodging players from both teams, and scored one of the most legendary touchdowns in college football history–all in the final seconds of the game. Even now, it’s a memory that sneaks up on me. Sometimes, I’ll just be sitting in class, getting groceries, or even taking a nap, and I’ll hear Rod Bramblett scream "Auburn's gonna win the football game! Auburn's gonna win the football game! He ran the missed field goal back! He ran it back 109 yards! They're not gonna keep 'em off the field tonight! Holy cow! Oh, my God! Auburn wins!" in my head over and over again, and every time it does, I can’t help but smile. I’m not even an Auburn fan, but as a college football fan, it still fills me with joy.
6. Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham’s live performance of Silver Springs
Live performance of Silver Springs during Fleetwood Mac's The Dance reunion concert in 1997 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDwi-8n054s
My dad is a die-hard Fleetwood Mac fan, so I was raised to be one, too. During my freshman year at UNC, I did a project about the song Silver Springs. It was originally written by Stevie Nicks for Rumours (1977) and intended as a direct response to her breakup with Lindsay Buckingham. The song is essentially a haunting, poetic declaration of heartbreak and lingering bitterness, with Stevie’s lyrics almost serving as a spell or curse: "You'll never get away from the sound of the woman that loves you." Singing those lyrics still sends shivers down my spine from time to time. I won’t lie, but whenever I have any romantic troubles, I always think of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham’s live performance of Silver Springs, particularly the rendition during Fleetwood Mac's The Dance reunion concert in 1997. It’s nothing short of legendary. The intensity of the moment builds as Stevie sings the lyrics directly to Lindsey, locking eyes with him as if she’s singing only to him. It feels deeply personal, almost as though the audience is intruding on something private. The line “Time cast a spell on you, but you won’t forget me” hits like a gut punch, especially as Stevie leans into it with such ferocity. It. Hits. Every. Time. The ultimate "exes airing their dirty laundry in public" moment.
7. 2013-2015 Vine
“Happy Crimmus” (A Vine that I quote year-round) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z-Nu351j58
When people ask me why I have such a good sense of humor, I give them two answers: (1) trauma and (2) Vine. If you have been living under a rock for the past 10 years, then let me introduce you to Vine. Vine was a short-form video app that launched in 2013 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Whether it was perfectly timed jokes, bizarre moments of absurdity, or iconic one-liners that are still quoted today, Vine became the birthplace of a new wave of internet comedy. It was chaotic, fast-paced, and sometimes made absolutely no sense, but that was part of its charm. I remember coming home from school and spending hours watching Vine compilations on YouTube (instead of doing homework), and laughing so hard until I cried. Sadly, Vine was discontinued in 2017, but its legacy lives on through countless compilations and the internet’s collective memory. If you’ve ever heard someone say “Road work ahead? Uh, yeah, I sure hope it does,” or “It’s an avocado… thanks,” you’ve already experienced the magic of Vine without even realizing it. RIP Vine, you are deeply missed.
8. Carolina Panthers going to the Super Bowl in 2016
2016 Carolina Panthers were chef’s kiss
Whenever I come home and open my closet and see my blue Luke Kuechly jersey hanging up, I can’t help but bite my fist out of heartache. As an embarrassed Carolina Panthers fan, I sometimes like to escape back to when times were good. I remember their 2015-2016 season very well: Cam Newton’s crazy touchdown celebrations, the world takeover of “the dab”, Kuechly’s psychic ability to read offenses, and the road up to playing in Super Bowl 50. It was a HUGE deal. The Friday before Super Bowl Sunday, everyone in my middle school dressed up in their Panthers gear. I’m pretty sure a teacher even came in with their face painted black and teal. Even the halftime show with Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, and Coldplay was unforgettable. We had all of our family friends over, cheering and screaming for our boys in blue. But then, the cheers and screams turned to dead silence after the Broncos’ seven sacks and four forced turnovers. While our moment in the spotlight was short-lived, the memories still play through my head from time to time, especially when the Panthers upset me, yet again. At this point, my Kuechly jersey might be the most reliable player on the field–at least it doesn’t disappoint me.
9. The Library of Alexandria
“The Burning of the Library of Alexandria” by Unbekannter Künstler
One time, my friend Harrison called my camera roll “The Library of Alexandria,” and I have never heard anything more accurate. It holds everything–my memories with friends and family, silly screenshots, memes, important receipts, and school assignments. But the REAL Library of Alexandria is one of the greatest "what if" moments in history. The burning of the Library of Alexandria is like having all of your photos deleted from your camera roll–except on a cosmic, intellectual scale. Imagine all those moments, those discoveries, that knowledge just… gone. Every book, every scroll, every idea lost forever. The Library wasn’t just a building full of ancient texts; it was a treasure chest of human understanding that could have shaped civilizations, but instead, it was wiped out in an instant. Today thinking about the loss of the Library feels like an irreversible void. The potential discoveries that could have been made, the history we could have understood better—all of it vanished. It’s an intellectual heartbreak, and every time I think about it, I spiral into a void of “what ifs.”
10. Tsar Nicholas and the Romanov Family
Tsar Nicholas and his family
Before learning about the Romanov Family in school, I grew up watching the Disney animated film Anastasia, which is based on the story surrounding the deaths of the Romanovs, specifically the survival of young daughter Anastasia. When I found out that the movie was based on actual events (minus the fact that Anastasia survived), one could only imagine how blown my mind was. From the ill-fated marriage between Nicholas and Alexandra to the rise of Rasputin (yes, the guy with the catchy song) and the eventual downfall of the Romanovs, it’s a dramatic, heartbreaking tale. And the mystery surrounding their deaths, whether they were shot, poisoned, or suffered some other fate, only adds layers to the intrigue. But it happened, and every new detail I uncover just deepens my obsession with the Romanovs and their tragic end.
11. The Palace of Versailles/The French Revolution
The Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France
Seeing the Palace of Versailles has always been on my bucket list. The beauty and the artistry of the home that was once lived in is something I just have to experience for myself. The story of the Palace of Versailles and the French Revolution is my favorite combination of architectural beauty and chaotic history. Versailles is a symbol of absolute power and lavish indulgence–grand halls, gardens that stretch for miles, and an air of complete control over the world around it. The fall of the French monarchy, ruled by Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, is one of those moments in history where the royalty collided with the reality of a society on the brink. The revolution that followed, full of bloodshed, beheadings, and shifting allegiances, is a reminder of how fragile power can be. Versailles represents everything I love about history: the beauty, the drama, and the eventual chaos that comes when society reaches its breaking point.
12. The Salem Witch Trials
“Salem Witch Trial, 1692 #4” by Granger
America has a crazy history. As young as our country is, it’s fascinating to see how far we’ve come in a short amount of time. We went from accusing innocent people of witchcraft based on the flimsiest of evidence, to posting TikTok dances on social media. How an entire town could be swept up in hysteria over witches flying around in the sky and cursing the townspeople, is beyond chilling. What fascinates me most is how quickly it all escalated, turning neighbors against one another and transforming everyday disputes into deadly accusations. And then there’s the lasting cultural impact. Like many people in America, I read The Crucible in high school and watched the movie, a timeless work that perfectly captures the paranoia of the trials. Every time read about the story of Salem, I’m reminded of how easily fear can distort reason, and how powerful the consequences can be when society loses its grip on sanity. It kinda worries me now seeing how our political climate has been a source of hysteria and false information in recent years. So, fingers crossed we won’t get a witch trial revival any time soon. But hey, if it does happen, at least I’ll be ready with a TikTok dance to distract them.
13. King Henry the 8th
King Henry the 8th and his six wives
The king of messy divorces and questionable life choices. Henry VIII’s reign was a reality show before reality shows existed. His marriages, his quest for a male heir, his role in the English Reformation. It's like watching a drama unfold with a man who could barely keep his own life (or wife) together, let alone an entire kingdom. What really struck me when learning about King Henry in school was how he was married to THREE women named Catherine. Thank God I don’t spell my name that way (I spell it Catharine, no “e”) because, with his track record, he definitely has a thing for Catherine’s. Each of Henry’s six marriages is more scandalous than the last, and his political maneuvering–executing wives, dissolving monasteries, and severing ties with Rome–reads like a Shakespearean tragedy. The sheer drama of his life and reign is impossible to look away from. Henry VIII’s life was a trainwreck, but it was the kind of historical chaos I can’t help but obsess over.
