(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Think Presidential Behavior is Unprecedented? Look to Roman Emperors as Presidential Role Models [1] ['Major Kong', 'Chloris Creator', 'Greg Dworkin'] Date: 2026-10-05 It seems that the President’s behavior is new and unprecedented for a political leader. However, that is not the case – much of this behavior was seen in political leaders in ancient times. We need only look back to the Roman Empire. Roman emperors liked building projects, especially triumphal arches, racetracks, theaters and palaces full of gold. They liked to see their names and faces all around, especially on coins and statues, and they named cities and buildings after themselves. Like them, our president has chosen to put his name on airports, our currency, the Kennedy Center, Navy ships, the “Gold Card” (to get wealthy foreigners to emigrate), and city streets, among other things. Roman emperors portrayed themselves as heroes and gods, in plays and processions, dressed in wreaths and crowns suitable for divine and semi-divine figures. They maintained their power by producing entertaining spectacles and distributing wealth to supporters. They demanded loyalty from military and political leaders. There were symbolic images of power – eagles and lions, at the Circus Maximus, a large Roman chariot racing stadium. Similar to our President in some respects, some emperors like Nero and Caligula were recognized as mad, However, they also were too powerful to be deposed. Crowds were entertained by scenes of war and conquest, with countries laid waste and occupants captured and killed. Distant wars were exciting and entertaining. Gladiators, some from distant lands, fought each other before bloodthirsty crowds, with fighting as entertainment (though in arenas rather than having mixed martial arts matches on the White House lawn). Emperors had the Praetorian Guard rather than the Secret Service, and these guards were supported by senators whose independence declined over time. Indeed, the Roman senators eventually came to be treated as clients and inferiors, despite their supposed status. They swore oaths in the name of the emperor, the ‘unconquered god.’ The emperor was known as Divi Filius, Son of God, usually divinized after death, but sometimes in life based on his position of extreme power. Emperors often portrayed themselves as gods. For instance, Caligula was known for his impersonation of deities and gladiator heroes, and he often played the role of the demi-god Hercules. He demanded worship as a living god, and insulted Senators challenging their power. The term ‘master and god’ was used in imperial documents, and emperors demanded absolute loyalty. Over time, emperors became known for corruption, and government positions of power and influence were bought and sold. Today, the media is different, with AI-produced images used rather than statues, with the imperial face or signature on paper money rather than on coins. Inferior people can no longer be enslaved, though they can be deported and warehoused. We have a golden White House rather than golden palaces and temples, but the glorification of leadership remains as something akin to an imperial cult. Both were violent governments legitimated by spectacle, and both contained senators for whom loyalty was more important than democracy or good judgement. Both the governments of Rome and the US have arguably overextended themselves in the desire for endless conquest and the expression of power. Today, we have a president who portrays himself as a hero and a god. His recent roles range from astronaut to general to ‘cosmic commander’ to Pope to Jesus with supernatural power coming out of his hands. But, he also shows himself as a pilot able to drop feces on his own citizens. Yet in spite of such disrespect, he demands oaths of loyalty. Other countries and races are portrayed as evil, as Roman emperors had armies who conquered, imprisoned, and enslaved those viewed as inferior. Roman religion became aggressive and bloodthirsty, and, in the ancient world, Christianity rose up in opposition to its violence. However, in its modern incarnation, political Christianity has taken on many of the ancient Roman values. It preaches war and punishment rather than faith, hope and love, and Jesus’ words on caring for the poor, the hungry and the stranger are ignored in favor of masked police violence, deportations, and increases of testosterone. Over time, the Roman Republic went into decline and eventual ruin, and its Republicans became known for corruption and decadence. Despite the disturbing similarities in leadership, we can only hope that our modern Republic does not continue in the path of its predecessor. 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