Ancient Practices of Cancel Culture in Egypt and Rome Highlight Historical Erasure Tactics
The concept of cancel culture, often seen as a modern phenomenon, has historical roots in ancient Egypt and Rome. In these civilizations, the practice of damnatio memoriae, or the condemnation of memory, was used to erase the legacies of political figures posthumously. This involved physically defacing statues, removing names from inscriptions, and voiding official acts. Notable figures such as Akhenaten and Hatshepsut in Egypt, and Nero and Domitian in Rome, were subjected to these practices. The erasure was not just a political act but also a spiritual one, as it was believed to sever the deceased from the afterlife. This historical context shows that the erasure of controversial figures has long been a tool for political consolidation and public appeasement. 
