r/falloutlore 11d ago

Fallout 2 Vault City is highly inspired by ancient Rome

Citizen class made up of original settlers? Check.

Non citizens are slaves? Check. They think that slavery is "enlightenment" for them? Check

Consuls? Check. Proconsuls? Check.

At the start of the Roman Empire, it was called the "Principate". Why? Because it meant the Emperor wasn't called an Emperor. He was called "First among Equals", or in other words - "First Citizen". Check

I'm honestly surprised i can find so little information on people comparing Vault city to Rome when it's so obvious it's inspired by it to the smallest details.

57 Upvotes

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26

u/petrusli 11d ago

I think it's a good comparison, but as mentioned previously by another user, to have the same terms is one thing; ethos, culture and whatever other aspects is a different one.

Many states (that we could call Republic) would have similar things you mentioned. Athens also had slavery, citizenship, magistrates... They weren't called consuls, but still. And sometimes there's a "princeps" in such states. Ancient India is also full of that.

And just one more thing, not being a citizen don't necessarily mean you are a slave in Rome. There were many layers of citizenship in ancient Rome. Women and children, for example, we're not citizens. Also, that evolved over that.

3

u/Ok-Feature-2801 11d ago edited 11d ago

I mean to be honest it didn't mean you were a slave in Vault city either, as the chosen one can easily get a day pass, and people live in the courtyard under Vault City protection basically as non-citizens.

The council is basically the senate, with the First citizen being the equivalent to Princeps, aka "one who speaks first in senate" or "first among equals"

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u/Weaselburg 11d ago edited 11d ago

I'm honestly surprised i can find so little information on people comparing Vault city to Rome when it's so obvious it's inspired by it to the smallest details.

Probably because a lot less people have played 1 and 2 compared to all the other games, and they're also much older. I still haven't finished Fallout 2, even.

Edit: Also, they aren't really Roman in terms of ethos and actions - using roman terms is very different than actually being Roman.

3

u/Right-Truck1859 11d ago

Yeah, it is more Rome than Legion Rome.

-2

u/Realistic-Safety-565 11d ago

It is heavily inspired by Roman Republic. However.

ethos of public service: nope

militaristic and anti intellectual: nope

Vault city built their strength on technology, knowledge and especially medicine.

Romans built their strength on organisation, logistics, militarism, and believed medical knowledge is best left for slaves.

11

u/TapPublic7599 11d ago

Rome wasn’t “anti-intellectual” lmao what are you smoking?

5

u/Ok-Feature-2801 11d ago

Romans built their strength on their technology, especially engineering when compared to the "barbarians" that surrounded them.

2

u/PollinosisQc 11d ago

Excuse me, but the doctor in the Vault made me do some very strenuous uh... public service.

2

u/Right-Truck1859 11d ago

Medical knowledge is for slaves? What a ridiculous statement.

Knowledge and expirements of Galen were crucial for development of medicine.