“Early Roman Kings” is a song by Bob Dylan from his album “Tempest” released in 2012. The song is a bluesy and gritty track that presents a satirical commentary on power, corruption, and the dark underbelly of human nature. With its evocative lyrics and raw musical arrangement, “Early Roman Kings” captures Dylan’s ability to blend historical allusions and contemporary observations into a compelling narrative.
The song’s title, “Early Roman Kings,” sets the tone for the subject matter at hand. In ancient Rome, early kings such as Julius Caesar, Caligula, and Nero were known for their tyrannical rule and excesses. Dylan utilizes these historical figures as symbolic representations of individuals in positions of authority who abuse their power and exhibit ruthless behavior.
Through vivid and evocative lyrics, Dylan paints a portrait of decadence, greed, and moral corruption. Lines like
“I can strip you of life, strip you of breath / Ship you down to the house of death”
and
“I can make you proud, I can make you boast / I can make you high as the Holy Ghost”
convey a sense of power and manipulation wielded by these “early Roman kings.”
The song’s blues-infused musical arrangement, characterized by a driving rhythm and gritty guitar, complements the biting lyrics, creating an atmosphere of urgency and intensity. Dylan’s distinctive voice, weathered by time, adds an additional layer of depth and gravitas to the song’s overall tone.
a mythological perspective on the song
The ‘Maenads’, or the ‘Bacchantes’, as they were also called, were woman frenzied with wine.
They rushed through woods, and over the mountains uttering sharp cries, waving cone-tipped wands, swept away in a fierce ecstasy (Edith Hamilton: Mythology).
Imagery that’s repeated in the song lyrics below:
All the early Roman kings In the early, early morn Coming down the mountain Distributing the corn Speeding through the forest Racing down the track You try to get away They drag you back (Bob Dylan: Early Roman Kings)
