Constantine and Trump: Two Outsiders, Two Movements, One Lesson About Power and Identity
History does not repeat, but it has a way of humming the same tune. Whenever I study Rome, I am reminded that the patterns of power, culture, and identity never really go away. They just shift and reappear in new forms. That is why, when I look at certain modern...
Are We Repeating Rome’s Late-Stage Chaos in the Digital Age?
History often repeats itself, though never in exactly the same way. The story of Rome’s decline provides insights that feel eerily relevant in today’s digital age. While Rome fell to barbarians in the end, the empire’s internal decay, loss of civic cohesion, erosion...
Leadership Lessons from Maximinus Thrax: Ambition, Loyalty, and the Price of Power
History is filled with leaders who rose from obscurity, achieved great heights, and then fell due to missteps that could have been avoided. Maximinus Thrax is one of those leaders. His life provides timeless lessons about ambition, loyalty, and the importance of...
What If Rome Never Fell? A Thought Experiment About Power, Culture, and the Future That Could Have Been
Alternate history is always fascinating, but imagining a world where Rome never fell is more than a mental exercise. It forces us to think about leadership, innovation, culture, and the direction of human civilization. Rome shaped so much of the modern world that its...
What Julius Caesar Can Teach Us About Leadership, Reform, and Power
History has a way of repeating itself, not in exact events, but in patterns of human behavior. When I think about leadership and the exercise of power, Julius Caesar is one of the clearest examples of both greatness and caution. His life offers lessons that are still...
Can America Reverse Its Decline? Lessons from the Fall of Rome
As someone who has studied history and leadership for years, I can’t help but notice the unsettling parallels between ancient Rome and modern America. When I look at the state of our nation today, I see warning signs that echo the decline of one of history’s greatest...
What Ancient Roman Chariot Races Teach Us About Modern Politics
In the United States, political rallies and conventions have become something more than just platforms for ideas. They have turned into full-blown performances designed to stir emotion and loyalty. Whenever I see one, I can’t help but think about ancient Rome. The...
Manufactured Credibility: How the Media Built Dr. Leana Wen’s Brand From Thin Air
The Making of an “Expert” You probably know Dr. Leana Wen. You’ve seen her on CNN, in The Washington Post, quoted on every hot-button issue from lockdowns to masks to abortion to opioids. But her rise wasn’t organic. It was engineered. Wen wasn’t a neutral voice the...
The Fall of Rome: How Empires Decay and What It Means for Modern Civilization
Most empires don’t collapse overnight. They decay slowly, chipped away by weak leaders, economic strain, cultural shifts, and external threats. The story of the fall of Rome is not just ancient history, it is a warning to every modern civilization. Today, as Western...
Was the Roman Republic an Oligarchy in Disguise? Uncovering the Truth About Rome’s “Democracy”
When we think of the Roman Republic, we picture a grand democracy—togas, senators, and the people’s voice in action. But was it really that simple? In my X thread from November 2024, I asked a provocative question: Was the Roman Republic an oligarchy in disguise?...