Were there any "memes" in the ancient/medieval literature? If so, do we have any jokes and or "memes" that were disseminated throughout wide distances, say, a Roman joke being told in India?

Maybe not exactly what you asked for, but check this answer from/u/sunagainstgold about medieval iconography:

Also this one about snails in medieval manuscripts, with answers from /u/sunagainstgold and /u/The_Alaskan