This phrase originates from Rome in Satire X of the Roman satirical poet Juvenal (c. 100 AD). In context, the Latin panem et circenses (bread and circuses) identifies the only remaining interest of a Roman populace that no longer cares for its historical birthright of political involvement. Here Juvenal displays his contempt for the declining heroism of contemporary Romans, using a range of different themes, including lust for power and desire for old age to illustrate his argument. “I am pridem, ex quo suffragia nulli / vendimus, effudit curas; nam qui dabat olim / imperium, fasces, legiones, omnia, nunc se / continet atque duas tantum res anxius optat, / panem et circenses.” “… Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses.” – Juvenal, Satire 10.77–81 ▫️Juvenal here makes reference to the Roman practice of providing free wheat to Roman citizens as well as costly circus games and other forms of entertainment as a means of gaining political power. The Annona (grain dole) was begun under the instigation of the aristocratic popularis politician Gaius Sempronius Gracchus in 123 BC; it remained an object of political contention until it was taken under the control of the autocratic Roman emperors.

Jackie WheelerConfirm during C, and lockdown, but sport still found a way, even if no audience in attendance they knew they would watch thr box! Because horse racing never took a break, people still have to gamble on the horses! 6Russell MabbettThe term ‘bread and circuses’ I’m sure was used by Augustus in his Res Gestae or official autobiography, one month before he died in AD14. He said’ I gave the urban plebicite bread and circuses’. Same sentiment.Phil DipaoloExactly what the Roman empire did keep them entertained and occupied and then they no not what is truth4Max LineWho watches football though… Plus that many ppl don’t even watch, but the last couple months of the season….. I can see other shows, or even social media platforms…… but it’s outdatedQuestion Antiquity replied2Sierra Nicole StocktonBill LuceThis could not be the USA right. We are smarter than this right! LolHarvey AkersJan KranzSo… because I love watching football, suggests that I am uninformed. Nothing could be farther than the truth. Stop the stereotyping.

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4Daniel PrusBread sure is getting pricey these days.Lynda Naskeworks great on knee-jerk low-info voters. they just stare where the twinkling lights are pointing and vote accordingly. no individual thought is necessary.Chris EngelsWell I’m rapidly running out of bread and the circuses are being openly antagonistic..time for the revolution.Anthony NewmanThe Government subsidizes professional football with your tax dollars. You might ask yourself how much time you spend watching pro sports and why the government does this?…… huge distraction from real life.Djalma Jah GordonBear BlackwoodShae MondellShould listen to a band called pusifer he actually sings a song called bread and circus look up on utube james maynar has a few bands tool inner circle and pusifer check out the music very spiritual and awakened he is you can tell by his music Preme Wilder · Give them religion they will never revoltStill Collins USA · Our common day gladiatorsDavey JonesGive “her” food, Giver D and she will never B…..Robert WhiteGambling Online gambling game shows mundane tv sit coms all helps to comatose the populationAnia LianOr give them crisis after crisis and they won’t see the ruin we’re preparing for themBob BaldwinThe fall from poetry to just pablum for the rocket scientists who swoon over every lame platitude they see on facebook that agrees with what they already think and enables their incessant whining.Adrian de GraaffAnd that’s exactly where we are again…Sic WitidJamie LightMorgan Silas McGinnisSocial Media is the New ColesseumKing Mtuli NdumisoPast present future Dave SmileyNow it’s weed and Netflix!Damon CamposGeorgia HenkPANEM ET CIRCENSES DIVIDE ET IMPERA Ossie OsbornWere Juventus FC named after him? They aren’t squeaky clean !!John MullerReal European values Its ok, one of these days people in EU will wake up to discover they don’t have human rights either.T.J. RobinsonDavid WaiteHappy society shouldn’t need to7Jane LeeEverything leads to Rome, if you know how to synchronize, it then there’s ur proof of where everything else. All Roads leads to Rome. Nothing wrong w asking questions.Harry CrowleyA’Torii Ai’AleanAnd he called them foolsDouglas Habersaatuh, why do we build $5B sports palaces in Las Vegas, enough money to feed Latin America for 20 years? (I sometimes just make up statistics)

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