The acknowledgement of parallels between Rome and America are widely articulated and accepted. There are many general similarities such as their political, military and economic dominance for large parts of their respective histories.
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Both republics were founded with a disdain for kingship
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Both have projected their influence through military conquest
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Both have a citizenry enamored with "bread and circuses"
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Both allow the existence of many religions
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Both have a two party dominated political system, conservative vs. progressive
However, despite just general and overall parallels between Rome and America (which indeed are present and persuasive), there are detailed chronological parallels between not just Rome and America, but also their respective "great personages" and specific events. Simply put, America's history has been following the detailed history of the Roman Republic, from its foundation until the present day.
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The above graphic is a birds-eye view of the chronologically ordered, detailed parallels between the Roman Republic and the American Republic. The timeline above starts at a mid-point in the two republics' histories, but the parallels between Rome and America extend all the way back to their respective foundations as republics. For instance:
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Both were founded as republics with an explicit desire to avoid rule by a king
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Both had heroes in the early days of the republic who were called to rule the republic in emergency war time. These heroes (Cincinnatus and George Washington) could have both seized power and retained it for themselves, but chose to go back to their farms in an act of republican "virtue"
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Both expanded to fill their geographical boundaries, before they extended their power "across the oceans"
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Both had a civil war that ended with the granting of voting rights to a previously excluded population
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Both had to subdue native populations, and extended to them nominal benefits and land
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After expanding to fill their geographical boundaries (Rome conquered all of the Italian Peninsula and America grew from coast to coast), they both encountered foreign empires that blocked further expansion. Rome won the Punic Wars to become the dominant power in the Mediterranean and America won World War II to become the dominant power in the Western Hemisphere
Further detailed analysis of the parallels between Rome and America (from their respective foundations to the Punic Wars/World War II) is planned and will be included on this webpage. However, for now, please see the detailed parallels below which start at approximately 150 B.C. (Rome) and 1950 A.D. (America)... as indicated on the above color coded chart.
Eisenhower and Gaius Marius
A war time hero that saved the republic from a foreign threat. He was elevated to the highest office. During his reign the republic undermined its values to preserve its existence.
Kennedy Brothers and Gracchi Brothers
Two brothers who were raised to high office, and who wanted to reform society for the benefit of the less privileged. One was impassioned and one was calm and lofty in speech . Both brothers were assassinated in a conspiracy that rocked the republic.
American Welfare and Roman Grain Dole
The republic initiated a free-food program for its citizens. This became highly popular and expanded in scope as the years progressed. It became politicized and was used to manipulate the voting of the citizens.
Labor Wars and Roman Servile Wars
The republic's wealth depended on abundant cheap labor. When conditions got very bad, the slaves (low class workers) rebelled and were brutally suppressed by republican military.
Richard Nixon and Cornelius Felix Sulla
At at time when the republic was torn apart by partisan politics and social unrest, this leader was brutal to his political opponents. Wars abroad and the mis-treatment of veterans also characterized this period.
Ronald Reagan and Pompey Magnus
This leader switched his political party early in his career. He divorced his first wife for political reason. He was very popular, and was loved for steering the republic through a grain shortage (an oil shortage for America), and ending the hijacking of boats (planes for America).
George Bush (Sr. & Jr.) and Julius Caesar
Gulf War and Romans in Gaul
Saddam/Bid Laden and Vercingetorix
This leader started a war that turned into an occupation of foreign land. Speculation arose as to the real motives for his wars. He was accused of making his homeland more into a police state and accumulated executive power to himself in contrast to the ideal of balanced republican government.
"Endless" wars were arguably waged under false pretexts. Opposing tribes banded together to fight this leader, however the leader of the tribes was captured and executed in the public view.
Barack Obama and Cleopatra
A leader with foreign allegiances shapes public policy. A conspiracy arises concerning the "paternal grandmother".
Donal Trump & Octavian Augustus
Strongly dislikes the foreign influence over Rome. He seeks the hidden and secure document that would "prove" a conspiracy of foreign allegiance. He wants to make his country great again!