The World According to Rome

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Ever wondered how the Romans saw the world back in the height of their empire? Well, you don’t have to imagine — two humorous maps offer a satirical glimpse into the Roman mindset around 125 AD. These maps capture the cultural stereotypes and generalizations that Romans might have held about the world beyond their borders — if they were as blunt and sarcastic as we are today.

The World According to Rome (125 AD)

The first map, created by Abel A. Kay for The Tale of Rome, paints a tongue-in-cheek view of the Roman Empire’s reach and its opinions about the rest of the known world.

• “Mean People Live Here” – A playful jab at the Germanic tribes to the north, reflecting the Romans’ contentious relationship with these groups.
• “Gold, man!” – A nod to Western Spain’s wealth, highlighting the region’s rich gold deposits that the Romans extensively mined.
• “Crazy religions” – A reference to the Middle East’s diverse religious landscape, possibly hinting at the rise of new religions, including early Christianity, which was emerging during this period.
• “More Pirates” – An acknowledgment of the piracy issues in the eastern Mediterranean, which posed challenges to Roman trade routes.
• “Spices, man!” – An allusion to the allure of exotic goods from the East, underscoring the importance of trade with these regions.

This map humorously showcases how Romans might have categorized the world into familiar territories and unknown lands filled with “others,” reflecting their ethnocentric worldview.

 

The Roman Empire’s View of the World – From the Atlas of Prejudice

The second map, crafted by Yanko Tsvetkov for his Atlas of Prejudice (Amazon link), takes a modern satirical approach by labeling parts of the Roman world with contemporary analogies:

• “Civilized Barbarians” – Western Europe receives a backhanded compliment, acknowledging their advancement yet maintaining a superior Roman attitude.
• “Gyms and Butt Sex” – A cheeky reference to ancient Greek culture, known for its athleticism and certain social practices.
• “New Jersey” and “The Bronx” – Italy itself is humorously compared to American urban centers, perhaps commenting on regional stereotypes within the empire.
• “Religious Fanatics” – Judea’s role in shaping religious history is noted, reflecting the region’s significance in the development of major world religions.
• “Deep South” – North Africa, vital for its grain supply, is likened to the American South, possibly highlighting its agricultural importance.

This map blends modern stereotypes with ancient history, offering a satirical take on how Romans might have viewed their empire and beyond.

These maps serve as a humorous reminder that simplistic and biased views are not unique to any one era—they’re something we all share. Certainly, the Romans had their own stereotypes too. The creators of these maps were playfully imagining what biases might have looked like in ancient times, and in doing so, they invite us to reflect on the stereotypes we hold today.