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 Romans were masters of spectacle, and their chariot races were the ultimate expression of it. In many ways, our political events today resemble those ancient games. The colors, the chants, the passionate supporters, and even the rivalries all look familiar.
As I shared recently on X, political rallies in America are like modern-day chariot races, with politicians putting on a show to rally their supporters. That parallel might sound funny at first, but it offers a powerful lesson about who we are as a society and what we value in leadership.
The Circus Maximus and the Modern Campaign. In ancient Rome, the Circus Maximus could hold more than 150,000 people. It was not just an entertainment venue.
It was where loyalty, identity, and emotion came together. Citizens gathered to cheer for their favorite charioteers, each representing one of four factions: the Reds, the Blues, the Greens, and the Whites. These weren’t casual fans. They were deeply devoted to their colors, the same way people today identify with their political parties.
The races often became so emotionally charged that riots would break out. Entire communities were divided by their allegiance to a single team. Fast forward to modern America, and the similarities are impossible to ignore. Political rallies fill stadiums.
Supporters wear matching shirts, wave flags, and chant slogans. Social media acts as the new Circus Maximus, amplifying the cheers and jeers to a global audience. The chariot drivers have become our candidates, and the races have turned into elections. The goal is no longer a laurel wreath but political power.
So the question becomes, what can we learn from those ancient chariot teams that still applies to today’s political landscape?
Lesson 1: Spectacle Distracts from Substance
The Romans didn’t attend chariot races for policy discussions. They came for the thrill, the danger, and the show. The excitement of seeing their team win outweighed any larger meaning behind the event.
That same mindset often appears in modern politics. Instead of rewarding strong ideas or leadership, we reward performance. A clever line, a dramatic debate moment, or a viral video can sway public opinion more than a decade of proven results.
The political arena has become entertainment, and when that happens, voters can easily lose sight of the issues that actually matter. When I wrote that we should focus on the issues rather than the spectacle and drama, that’s what I meant.
It’s not that enthusiasm is bad, but if we care more about the show than the solutions, then politics becomes nothing more than another form of amusement.
Lesson 2: Loyalty Builds Connection but Also Division
In Rome, allegiance to a chariot team created strong community bonds. People felt a sense of pride and belonging. But it also divided them.
The factions were known to clash violently, sometimes turning deadly. We see a similar dynamic today. Party loyalty can unite people around a shared purpose, but it can also blind them to reason. It can make enemies out of neighbors and close friends out of strangers simply because of shared colors or hashtags.
The Nika Riots in 532 AD are a perfect example of how dangerous factionalism can become. What started as a dispute at a chariot race spiraled into massive destruction and thousands of deaths.
The lesson is clear. When loyalty turns into hostility, everyone loses. Today, political polarization plays out differently, but the roots are the same. People identify so strongly with their side that they stop listening to the other.
Healthy debate disappears, replaced by shouting matches and echo chambers. If we continue down that path, the conversation about solutions will always take a backseat to emotional tribalism.
Lesson 3: Power Is the Constant Prize
Whether it was the charioteers of ancient Rome or modern politicians, one thing never changes. The race is always about power. The Roman racers didn’t drive for art or philosophy. They drove for glory, status, and reward.
In the same way, political figures today are often driven by ambition more than service. Power can be intoxicating, and once someone has it, they will do almost anything to keep it.
In ancient Rome, emperors understood this. They used entertainment to distract citizens from deeper issues. As long as the races continued and the bread was free, the people stayed loyal.
We still see that strategy play out. The louder the spectacle, the less attention we pay to what is really happening behind the scenes. The public gets entertained while real progress stalls.
That’s why I believe the real challenge for voters today is to stay aware. Pay attention not to the noise, but to the results.
A Thought on Perspective
When I look at the connection between ancient Rome and modern America, I see a pattern that repeats itself throughout history. The competition and the desire for influence are built into human nature.
The players change, the arenas evolve, but the drive for victory never goes away.
As I wrote in my thread, whether it’s ancient Rome or modern America, the chariot races and political parties may come and go, but the spirit of competition and the desire for power will always remain.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Competition can create accountability and push people to do their best. But it becomes destructive when the focus shifts from serving others to simply defeating opponents.
Focusing on What Really Matters
What if we redirected the same energy that fuels rallies and online debates into real community change? What if we spent less time defending parties and more time collaborating on solutions?
Imagine what would happen if the spectacle of politics turned back into genuine leadership. If people cared more about the wellbeing of their communities than about who scored a point in a televised argument.
I like to joke that maybe we should just have politicians race chariots instead of debating each other. It would probably be more entertaining, and at least the competition would be honest.
But behind the humor is a serious point.
The noise will always be there. The crowds will always cheer for their team. But real progress happens when people stop watching the race and start shaping the future.
History Doesn’t Repeat, but It Rhymes
History offers a mirror. Ancient Rome shows us that the line between entertainment and leadership can easily blur. Once it does, the focus shifts from truth to performance.
Our challenge today is to see through the spectacle and make decisions that are guided by principle, not personality. The spirit of competition will always exist, but we get to choose how to direct it.
If we take that lesson to heart, maybe we can move beyond the politics of entertainment and toward the kind of leadership that truly makes a difference.