How to Write Satire About Ancient Rome Without Just Describing America
How to Write Satire About Ancient Rome Without Just Describing America
Et Tu, Satire?
Yes, Rome fell due to corruption and overextension, but there’s more to mock than obvious parallels. Here’s how to dig deeper into classical comedy.
Step 1: Highlight Roman Peculiarities
“Emperor Caligula made his horse consul – still more qualified than some modern appointees”
Step 2: Use Latin Wordplay
“Bread and circuses (panem et circenses) – the original Netflix and chill”
Step 3: Explore Genuine Differences
“At least Roman emperors had the decency to stab people in the front”
Advanced Techniques
1. The “Gladiator Yelp Reviews”
“????? – Got mauled by lions but the pre-show buffet was decent”
2. The “Senatorial Debate”
“Cato ended every speech with ‘Carthage must be destroyed’ – the original political talking point”
3. The “Aqueduct Infrastructure”
“Romans built waterways that lasted millennia while we can’t fix potholes”
Conclusion
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but its satirical potential was. Just try to resist the easy America comparisons… for at least a paragraph or two.
SOURCE: How to Write Satire About Ancient Rome Without Just Describing America
