“…they feel an affinity for him because he allowed all of the rank and indolent stupidity of pure masculinity a free expression which it has not had for decades.” https://sententiaeantiquae.com/2021/02/02/homerica-first/

The thing is, “historical Classical manliness” was and is ＊always＊ a lie engaged in by men to excuse their brutality and rank obtuseness in the name of acquiring and retaining power—the power to do violence whenever and wherever they please.

There has always been resistance, both to the lie and to the brutality. They have always responded to the resistance with yet more violence until forced to desist.

There was ＊never＊ a fabled golden age of manly men ruling justly. The legend is a lie used to excuse whatever violence a man feels like doing to retain the power to brutalize ＊now＊.

The idea that men “lose” something when they’re forced to behave decently is and always has been utter hogwash. Profitable hogwash, but hogwash nonetheless.

A man who ascribes to that myth is simply and solely seeking justification for being a shithead right here and now. That’s it. That’s the whole game.

One can find a lot of good things in Classics—heaven knows I have—but if you see/hear a man using that bullshit, be warned. You know what he’s after, now.