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"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.

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"Chariot and Gladiator games that provided entertainment for the poor Romans"

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12y ago
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This was a huge celebration started by Romans when the government would put on a huge free spectical for the people and give them free food, a celebration..

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Q: What does the phrase bread and circuses mean?
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What is the bread and circuses policy?

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


The traditional objection to democratic government is the risk of?

Traditional democracies die when the people discover that they can vote to give themselves "bread and circuses". When the populace decide to vote that the government give them money, the civilization is doomed. "The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson


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The phrase refers to Florence Nightingale, a pioneer of nursing. Read about her at the link below.


What does golf foxtrot Yankee mean?

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Does the phrase strict construction mean interpreting the constitution exactly as it is stated?

Close. It means applying the law (not just the constitution) exactly as written.