Plebeians and 'Bread and Circuses'

The plebeians were the poor group of people in society of Ancient Rome. They lived off of welfare benefits from the government which included bread and circuses. The government provided the plebeians with bread and other food and, while not taking them to an actual circus, they provided entertainment for them which is what the word 'circus' comes from in Latin. This entertainment was provided at stadiums some of which were called Circus Maximus and the famous Colosseum. In the Colosseum for example gladiator duels were held and the two men would battle to the death. Other forms of entertainment consisted of prisoners, slaves, or gladiators facing off a wild animal that had been caged, starved, and beaten for a few days. The ravenous animal would be released on an unarmed prisoner who owned debt or an armed gladiator-both of which usually lost. There was also a lot of gambling and betting going on at these events.




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