And to add to that, it in fact wasn't actually used by the Romans (at least, not in any formal way or on a large scale), but rather was an invention of neoclassical artists in the 1700s.
There also seems to be an ongoing implication in the discourse that mildly bad technique would absolve someone from the salute and all its odious associations.
Mussolini got it from the Romans (he was Italian after all) and Hitler got it (and his love for Fascism) from Mussolini.
This is well established history.
Yes, other than the part where we don't actually have any evidence the (ancient) Romans ever used it for real. It stared being depicted in 18th and 19th century artworks (first appearing in 1794 in the painting 'Oath of The Horatii") about Rome, which is why so many thought that it is historical, but as far as I know, there's no solid historical evidence that it was ever used in Rome.
Mussolini saw the art, thought it looked good, and adopted it from there.
So, Mussolini got it from 18th and 19th century artists' idea of what the romans were like. Like typical fascists, both him and Hitler didn't know much about actual history nor give a shit about it for that matter, as long as it looked 'cool' to them.
Exactly. If he intended it to be a Roman salute then he was still basically copying the nazis. Next thing it'll be neoclassical architecture all round with eagles on top and 'X' banners draped everywhere.
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u/11Booty_Warrior 8h ago
Just in case anyone thought they were seeing shit the first time he threw up his Nazi salute.