Why did the ancient Roman government begin the bread and circuses program to keep the poor fed and entertained?

Answer 1

Many of the games originally started as part of either religious holidays or funeral ceremonies and in that sense, are as old as Roman civilization itself. And while people today mostly think of gladiators when 'circuses' are mentioned, horse racing - especially Chariot Racing - was much more popular: on any given day several races would be held for enthusiastic crowds, all rooting for their favorite 'color' as worn by the chariot driver.

So theatrical and gladiator games evolved gradually out of early ceremonies of around 400 BC and the Roman Government had nothing to do with that until later. As to the races: as long as people have owned horses, there has been this urge to have them race against each other; and having 'colors' that people could root for is no Government invention either; it's the same basic urge that makes us want to root for different sports teams today.

The Roman Government did however make use of the games' popularity by building amphitheaters for them. A little later on, the elected political officials called Aediles had as one of their tasks to organize the games in Rome itself during their year of office. It made the job a stepping-stone for higher elected office, because spending lavishly on the games with your own money and making them spectacular would earn you great popularity among the masses.

Answer 2

Bread and circuses was an expression that the Roman elites used to indicate what they thought was needed to keep the masses of the poor happy and therefore quiet.

The Roman state distributed a grain dole to the poor which was sometimes subsidised, but was for the most part of its history it was free. This was the Roman's welfare measure as many Romans lived in abject poverty and were not able to secure a meal daily. Bread was the staple diet of the poor.

The elites also through that the masses could be kept happy by providing entertainments at religious festivals and public games. The most popular games were the chariot races at the circus and the gladiatorial games. Circus was the name of the racing tracks.

This view reflected the prejudice of the elites towards the masses, which they saw as ignorant rubble.

Answer 3

The phrase indicates the belief of the Roman elites that the poor could be kept happy by feeding them and entertaining them. Bread was a reference of the free grain dole which was distributed to the poor by the state for free. Circus was the name of the chariot racing tack. Chariot races were the most popular form of entertainment together with the gladiatorial games. Due to widespread unemployment and underemployment the masses of the poor relied on the grain dole to survive. Some prominent politicians and, especially, the emperors organised and funded the gladiatorial games and the chariot races. These were highlights in the dull lives of the poor. Holding such events was a way of trying to gain popularity. However, this did not necessarily prevent riots if the people were not happy with something.

Answer 4

what was the "bread and circues" policy and how did roman politicians benefit from it?

Answer 5

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