J.R.R. Tolkien remains a figure of intriguing complexity, and in some cases contradiction. As a devout Roman Catholic and a lover of Roman languages, Tolkien's aversion to the Roman Empire stands out as a remarkable paradox. As one explores Tolkien's complex relationship with the Roman Empire and its influence on his work, one cannot deny his deep-seated values of localism and traditionalism.
In Tolkien's Middle-earth, we find a reflection of his ideological battle—a world where the preservation of diversity stands as a testament to the resilience of local cultures against the tides of conquest and cultural erasure.
Tolkien's Ideological Conflict
At the heart of Tolkien's paradoxical stance is his deep admiration for the Roman people and their culture juxtaposed with his disdain for the Roman Empire. This aversion did not stem from a dislike of Roman achievements in engineering, governance, or the arts, but from the empire's approach to conquest and cultural eradication. Tolkien, despite his affection for Latin and Roman Catholicism, viewed the empire as antithetical to his cherished principles of localism and traditionalism.
