Asklemmy

I’ve been painting a literal legion’s worth of miniature Roman troops for a few months now.

Only when its mentioned

Sometimes. I don't get why people idolize it and mourn its fall though, the whole thing seems like it was defined by slavery and murder and domination and is honestly horrifying.

Weekly

like, once a year at the most? Why on earth should I think more about the Roman Empire? What have they ever done for us?

Often because of how much I read. Me and a friend were debating the other day over whether the European Union is simply a Neo-Roman-Empire or if it's its own separate thing. She argues if the Romans never fell, they would've reformed into the European Union anyways because their style of governing is simply today's style.

I think about the TV show Rome but never about the actual Roman empire.

13!!!!!!

Every day. But I collect ancient Roman coins as a hobby, so it figures.

Circa once a week.
Also, I've lost The Game.

at least twice a month. it's just fun to fantasize about

makes me think back to my middle school latin teacher who would get super into everyday life & culture and just talk on and on about that stuff. she was pretty mean actually but her passion about rome was infectious

More often than I think.

Just the classical period of empire (Augustus to Marcus Aurelius)? Once in a while.

Any period of the Roman state including republic principate, dominate, eastern empire until 1453? Almost every day. I'm a history nerd living surrounded by traces of Rome. Speaking a Romance language. It would be hard not to.

Everyday, memento mori, remember thou art mortal.

Not often. I imagine they are just like us, but much more brutal. I am as intrigued by the earlier civilization on the other side of the world. e.g. the approach to war stratrgy/methodology by Sun Tzu to train concubines to march like soldiers. I wonder what's the acceptable way of doing it today.

Yearly

In the last week, seemingly every 11 seconds lol

Not too often TBH, I usually only think of the Roman Empire or the Republic when something reminds me of them. If I'm seeing Imperial Soldiers in Elder Scrolls games, or if I see something online that brings up their history. But in my day to day life, it is rare for me to think of them.

As someone that lives in a country that is proud of both being conquered by the Roman Empire and winning some battles with the Roman Empire, I dont really think about the Roman Empire often. I think about latin frequently

Well firstly, Rome did not become "totalitarian". The word implies there is heavy censorship and control over the minutiae of the daily lives every single citizen. There was no secret police in Rome to police thoughts. Totalitarianism is different to authoritarianism. Rome transitioned to "authoritarianism" because the power of the senate became diluted and transferred much of the power to the caesar or emperor. But the caesar still allow huge degree of freedom and still held sessions with the senate to discuss matters. There is a reason why the Roman empire with an emperor, as its ruler, still lasted for centuries. Many people in the past identified as Romans even long after the Western part fell.

To answer your question, I don't think much about the Roman empire. I think they're overrated. They have been the model of many European powers (and the United States) to justify imperialism and colonisation. Rome is being presented as the the force that "civilised" much of Europe from dirty barbarians. That's not so different from the Western idea of civilising mission and manifest destiny to subjugate dirty indigenous folks in the colonies.

Once every few weeks or so, usually when something comes up online or on TV set in Rome or round the time period involved. Rarely pops up in my mind unprompted.

Probably a few times a week average, and I'm not much into history but into the aesthetics and cultural legacy. After all... Most RPGs reference it somehow, so it's not that hard to find triggers for thought.

Multiple times every single day.

Fairly often, but mostly because I have a Roman Empire obsessed friend who, regardless of conversation topic, always manages to make a comparison to the Roman Empire.

It’s not a joke or a meme , but based on some actual research out last week

Once or twice a week, but only really because I do a lot of worldbuilding and part of that is taking inspiration from IRL civilisations.