What's happening?

Dance challenges, lip syncs, recipes, jokes: TikTok contains all sorts of things. But the latest viral trend might be the strangest yet.

TikTok is full of people asking men a simple question: "How often do you think about the Roman EmpireLasting from 27BC to 476AD, the Roman Empire controlled regions around the Mediterranean in Europe, North Africa and Western Asia. ?"

The trend started after an influencerSomebody who uses their online social media profiles to suggest or promote ideas to others. challenged women to ask the question to men. The hashtag #romanempire now has 1.1 billion views.

Many were shocked by just how many men think about Ancient Rome - and just how often. One said "every day".

An interest in the Roman Empire is nothing new. Today, many films, TV shows and novels are inspiredWhen one thing causes another person to have the creativity to do another thing. by its bloody sport and bloodier politics.

But not everyone is interested in Rome! The trend has encouraged people to share their "Roman Empire" - or the thing they think about all the time.

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The things we think about are one of the things that make us who we are. They affectInfluence, impact or make a difference to. the activities we do, the books we read, the things we watch and even who we spend time with.

Yet others claim there is much more to us than our interests. For example, you do not have to like the same things as your friends.

Are we defined by our "Roman Empire"?

Yes! Our interests shape the places we go to, the people we meet and what we talk about. For example, lots of people spend their whole lives thinking about football!

No! The things we are interested in are very important. But what defines us is who we are as a person: how kind we are and how we treat the world and other people around us.