Boris Johnson: "The Romans were bastards"

The transcript discusses the Roman Empire's transition to a dictatorship and its lack of interest in drama, contrasting it with Greek culture. It highlights the violent nature of Roman entertainment, such as the Colosseum games, and the cruelty prevalent in Roman society, including brutal punishments and societal values based on fear rather than democracy.

What does the phrase 'the Romans were bastards' imply about their society?

In what ways did the societal structure of Rome differ from a democracy?