answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Distractions for the vulgar populus (the masses of Roman people).

"Bread and circuses" refers to the pacification of a populace by food and entertainment, which is related to the term "fat and happy".

As coined by the Roman poet Juvenal (c. 100-200 AD) in his Satires, panem et circenses was an apparent policy in the Roman Empire. The rulers believed that if the people were entertained and their bellies full, they would not get restless or try to overthrow the government. So they tried to make sure that there was always entertainment, notably in the Colosseum, and that there was always bread available to be purchased. In this way, the Roman masses were distracted from the problems of the Empire.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

The custom of free entertainment went back to at least the mid republic, when a politician would put on gladiatorial shows and other entertainments in order to impress the voters. Donatives were also given out. The term "bread and circuses" was coined by the satirist, Juvenal.

The custom of free entertainment went back to at least the mid republic, when a politician would put on gladiatorial shows and other entertainments in order to impress the voters. Donatives were also given out. The term "bread and circuses" was coined by the satirist, Juvenal.

The custom of free entertainment went back to at least the mid republic, when a politician would put on gladiatorial shows and other entertainments in order to impress the voters. Donatives were also given out. The term "bread and circuses" was coined by the satirist, Juvenal.

The custom of free entertainment went back to at least the mid republic, when a politician would put on gladiatorial shows and other entertainments in order to impress the voters. Donatives were also given out. The term "bread and circuses" was coined by the satirist, Juvenal.

The custom of free entertainment went back to at least the mid republic, when a politician would put on gladiatorial shows and other entertainments in order to impress the voters. Donatives were also given out. The term "bread and circuses" was coined by the satirist, Juvenal.

The custom of free entertainment went back to at least the mid republic, when a politician would put on gladiatorial shows and other entertainments in order to impress the voters. Donatives were also given out. The term "bread and circuses" was coined by the satirist, Juvenal.

The custom of free entertainment went back to at least the mid republic, when a politician would put on gladiatorial shows and other entertainments in order to impress the voters. Donatives were also given out. The term "bread and circuses" was coined by the satirist, Juvenal.

The custom of free entertainment went back to at least the mid republic, when a politician would put on gladiatorial shows and other entertainments in order to impress the voters. Donatives were also given out. The term "bread and circuses" was coined by the satirist, Juvenal.

The custom of free entertainment went back to at least the mid republic, when a politician would put on gladiatorial shows and other entertainments in order to impress the voters. Donatives were also given out. The term "bread and circuses" was coined by the satirist, Juvenal.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

The wealthy 1% bought large estates displacing the small family farms and bringing in slaves instead of paid labor to work the land, as well as serve as servants, craftspeople, and artisans. The unemployed farmers and farm workers made their way to the cities looking for work, but the overcrowded cities did not afford much in the way of employment for the influx of the unemployed. To prevent the idle poor from rebelling or rioting, the emperors instituted Bread and Circuses [which also included gladiatorial games and plays] where the unemployed poor were fed and entertained, paid for by wealthy political candidates to curry favor with the public, or by the state itself to act as what would later be called "the opiate of the public."

It also needs to be pointed out that the fall of the Roman empire hinged on larger issues than the "bread & circuses" syndrome.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

The custom of free entertainment went back to at least the mid republic, when a politician would put on gladiatorial shows and other entertainments in order to impress the voters. Donatives were also given out. The term "bread and circuses" was coined by the satirist, Juvenal.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What did the term bread and circuses refer to during to the roman emperors?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Bread and circuses is a term used to refer to a system of public?

handouts


What are the Latin references made in The Hunger Games series?

Well, in Mockingjay, they refer to the term "Panem de Circuses" which means bread and circuses, or- in more modern tongue- food and entertainment. Is that what you mean?


Who are the muggle emperors?

I believe you're trying to refer to the Mongol emperors.


What does xerophargy refer to?

Xerophargy refers to a diet of bread and water.


What is the different meaning between flour for making bread and flour to make bread?

There is no difference between "flour for making bread" and "flour to make bread." Both phrases refer to the same thing: bread flour.


What organelle does the letter b refer to?

bread and buttery popcorn


Who are the Roman persecutors?

The term may apply to the Roman emperors that initiated and promoted the persecution of Christians such as Nero, Trajan, Severus, Valerian and Diocletian. It can also refer to the soldiers, jailers and torturers who carried out orders from the emperors .


What does the word roll refer to?

Turning over or bread roll like a biscuit.


What name was used to refer to the Japanese emperors?

The Japanese historically referred to the Emperor as "Tenno," meaning "heavenly sovereign," reflecting the belief that the Emperor was a living god.


Was Julius Caesar ever emperor?

No, Julius Caesar was never an emperor. He was a dictator, with all the powers of an emperor, but he ruled during the republican form of government, and received his office under the republican system. The men who historians refer to as emperors ruled under the principate form of government which was different from the republic.


Where is the bread basket in the U.S. located?

the nation's bread basket is how we refer to the fertile agricultural land of the deforested central plains because it has the best farmland in the entire world. the term 'bread basket' is used because a lot of our crops are from the central plains, or the bread basket.


Are teacakes made from tea?

The word "teacake" can refer to a cake of compressed tea OR a cake or bread that is typically eaten with tea.