The 'female version' of the male obsession with the Roman Empire is — to the surprise of no one — completely different

  • This week the internet was shocked to discover that men are obsessed with the Roman Empire.

  • Some women found out their partners think of the Roman Empire as often as on a daily basis.

  • People are now discussing the "female version" of the trend.

Earlier this week, the internet was shocked to discover that men are obsessed with the Roman Empire — so much so that some even think of it on a daily basis.

The revelation came as a surprise to many partners, who have been sharing viral reactions to the men in their lives admitting how frequently they pondered the Roman Empire on TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter.

The conversation took a new turn on Thursday when LA-based professional charcuterie artist Emmy Rener asked TikTokers to weigh in on a new question: what is the female version of the Roman Empire?

"What is something random that we all think about on a very regular basis that is female specific?" she said.

 

The answers Rener has received in comments and stitched videos on her TikTok revealed stark differences between men's and women's regular thoughts.

Kidnapping and violent crime are top of mind, some women say

Many of those responding to the TikTok said they would often think of serious subjects like being the victim of violence.

Danyelle Leyden, a TikToker who regularly shares content about her life and family, said being kidnapped was top of her mind in a response video.

"Definitely being kidnapped, or just in general somebody's gonna get me," Leyden said.

Speaking to Insider, Leyden said the number of women who have similar recurring thoughts to her is revealing societal differences.

"It speaks volumes for society that women are so cautious and have to feel on guard most of their lives," Leyden said. "I think unfortunately most women have had past experiences that led them to be this cautious."

"For me it also put into further perspective that as women we feel like prey subconsciously," she added.

Some people expressed similar views in the comment section of Leyden's TikTok. "Same," one user wrote in a comment that has over 6,500 likes. "I'm constantly thinking 'what if someone walks though my front door right now, what will I grab?'"

 

 

"I think it's being murdered, or assaulted," Melissa Urban said in a TikTok. She captioned the clip: "With a splash of did I leave the curling iron on."

In yet another stitch with Rener's original clip, "Awkward" star Greer Grammer expressed similar thoughts.

"Taylor Swift or getting kidnapped, I think about those two things every day. Every day," she said in her own post.

Princess Diana, the Salem Witch Trials, and the Titanic are common, too

Other common answers among women on TikTok included Princess Diana, Greek mythology, the Titanic, Helen Keller, and the Salem Witch Trials.

"I firmly believe that there are four," user @gertiethehippo said in a TikTok responding to Rener's question. "The six wives of Henry VIII, the Titanic, obviously, not the movie but the Titanic, the Romanov's, and, of course, Greek mythology."

princess diana wearing a sheep patterned sweater in 1981
Princess Diana.Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Further responses also included Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks epic 1997 performance of "Silver Springs," which resurfaced and went viral earlier this year following the release of "Daisy Jones and The Six," Today reported.

Others said they also thought about the Roman Empire.

Carly Maris, a postdoctoral fellow at San Diego State University whose research interests including Rome, Persia, and Egypt, responded to the trend on TikTok, saying that for her "personally, the female version of the Roman Empire is the Roman Empire."

"Ladies, when they would do a good job at something they would get little leaf hats, they wore special dresses, their favorite color was purple," she added.

Emmy Renner, creator of the original female version of the Roman Empire TikTok, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

Read the original article on Insider