Monty Python: What have the Romans ever done for us?
Kenny TeeologyCited 3× on HN, 2020–2023
comedy · general · evergreen · 2020–2023 on HN
A one-minute clip from Monty Python's Life of Brian in which revolutionaries grudgingly list everything the Romans have done for them, from roads to clean water. It is a satirical sketch about refusing to credit a disliked group.
HN commenters quote it jokingly whenever someone lists the unacknowledged benefits of an entity people love to complain about.
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3 comments from Hacker News
Your comment has merit. Even at it's peak Roman culture was marbled with cruelty and violence. During its decline, these aspects only got worse and became coupled with corruption and decadence. But I think we should see them relative to their historic peers (Gauls, Carthaginians, Parthians), not relative to modern societies to truly see what their contributions were, of which there were many, including in law, engineering, and medicine. Also, there's this: ▶ this video
Reminds one a bit of "What have the Romans ever done for us" from Monty Python's Life of Brian, doesn't it? (Here is it for reference: ▶ this video )
I think it's closer to 'What did the Romans do for us? Besides the roads, clean water, ...' ▶ this video