Fascist Italy and the Perception of the Romans

I had a curious thought. Fascist Italy fashioned itself as the "New Roman Empire" with Mussolini the would be Caesar. History is also not something which necessarily happened, but how what happened is viewed and thought of. Now, had Fascist Italy not fallen, what would the perception of the Romans be, both within Italy itself and outside of it?
 
I had a curious thought. Fascist Italy fashioned itself as the "New Roman Empire" with Mussolini the would be Caesar. History is also not something which necessarily happened, but how what happened is viewed and thought of. Now, had Fascist Italy not fallen, what would the perception of the Romans be, both within Italy itself and outside of it?

I have a timeline about a successful fascist Italy (Check my signature). Basically, they become somewhat of a 3rd Faction in the Cold War, and fascism is generally still popular in Southern Europe and other countries worldwide (With a Fascist Party in the United States, somewhat similar in size to the Libertarians).
 
I have a timeline about a successful fascist Italy (Check my signature). Basically, they become somewhat of a 3rd Faction in the Cold War, and fascism is generally still popular in Southern Europe and other countries worldwide (With a Fascist Party in the United States, somewhat similar in size to the Libertarians).

Alright, but what about how the continued development of Italian fascism would affect societal views on Roman history?
 
Well, for one thing, I think many people will generally be more aware of Roman history, considering a massive "Roman Successor State" controls Italy, the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and Eastern/Northern Africa. People will definitely be more aware of Italy's existence, and more so of its history due to the fact it'll probably be one of the Great-Powers in the world. The Italian Language may flourish in these areas, so Italian could possibly be the language most people take in school (Considering Italy would probably be an economic power, and with their control of the Suez Canal in the scenario they get their "New Rome", they would be a major economic power).

So, more general knowledge of Italian/Roman history worldwide, and Italian becomes probably as common in Europe and the Americas as Spanish is IOTL.
 
Here's the thing. A lot of people revere the Romans as one of the great bastions of civilization and the people that spread civilization throughout Europe. But if there's a strong state which claims the birth right of Rome legitimately, and which is belligerent, could there be a backlash against it, maybe with the Romans being treated more as bullies and the barbarian peoples treated as innocents crushed under an expansionist regime or something?
 
I don't think it would make much of a difference. European countries that developed in territory of Rome are aware of what they did (Italy, Spain, France, UK....). It's possible that Italy will present Rome as beacon of civilisation in otherwise dark, barbaric world and if they push it too much and is too misrepresented there will be a backlash. Countries could make heroes out of their anti-roman rulers or hail leaders of Roman successor states.

A lot also depends on what happens to Germany since 19th century German nationalism fed itself on anti-roman heroes. And the fact that Rome was brought down by germanic tribes. Yes, Germanic =/= German but for propaganda and nationalistic purposes such minor details can be glossed over.
 
This could be interesting in that the title of King was frowned upon back then, with them choosing the title of Emperor and Prince in back then as it meant citizen or something. Would the Fascists Council become the Senate?
 
It heavily influenced a lot of cultural portrayals of Rome even IOTL. Take the movie Spartacus for example. The use of fascist motifs for the Romans was very deliberate on the part of the filmmakers.
 
It definitely would make for an interesting TL, especially if Roma/Italia comes out of World War II somewhat intact. How does it handle being a major broker in the Cold War? Does it eventually liberalize ala Spain? And many more interesting problems. I would read the hell out of that timeline.
 
It definitely would make for an interesting TL, especially if Roma/Italia comes out of World War II somewhat intact. How does it handle being a major broker in the Cold War? Does it eventually liberalize ala Spain? And many more interesting problems. I would read the hell out of that timeline.

I am writing that right now actually (In my signature).
 
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