During fall break at the end of September, I had to watch and write a review on a historical based movie that had to do with the time period that had been covered by the last unit in AP World History. I decided to watch Gladiator (which is fantastic by the way). And after watching it, I thought about what was said in some parts of the movie that had some rather striking (and startling) similarities to the current situation of America.
At one point, Marcus Aurelius is telling Maximus that Rome is to be a republic once more. He says that this is in an effort that his legacy would be to end the corruption that has crippled Rome as a result of being an empire. Does it not seem curious that Rome, one of the greatest civilizations, became corrupt while it had a centralized government? And also that America is now in the same boat? Meaning, that America is now stepping up centralizing the government and along with that the decline of America has also accelerated. Is this surprising?
At another point, Commodus is sitting in a session of the Senate as part of him now being emperor. He tells Senator Gracchus that his policy is love, and he will embrace the people. The senator then scathingly inquires if Commodus has ever embraced a man dying of plague. Does it not seem curious that the ruler of Rome said he loved the people but never really shown it, when America now has a similar ruler? In other words, Mr. President claims to love the people of America, but has never really shown any of this love other than merely saying that he does. Is this surprising?
Later in the movie, Commodus has declared games in honor of Marcus. Senator Gaius finds Gracchus in the marketplace and they begin conversation about the nature of the games. And Gracchus says something very interesting (this will not be an exact quote). "He is very clever. He knows what Rome is. Rome is the mob. Conjure a bit of magic and they will be distracted from him. And they will love him for it." Does it not seem curious that in both Rome and America the mob seems to be swayed by just a bit of magic? Or perhaps this will do better. What if America is the mob? And Mr. President is being clever by conjuring a bit of magic, such as his remarkable ability for eloquence? And because of this magic, the mob loves him for it? Is this not surprising?
Thanks for reading, Kyle " J "
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