Sorry for the lack of production today … computer doing weird things. Along the way, though, I came across a garbage editorial which said the following, which ultimately comes from the Wikipedia article on Bread and Circuses — and, of course, this particular claim has no footnote.

Roman politicians devised a plan in 140 B.C.E. to win the votes of these new citizens: giving out cheap food and entertainment, “bread and circuses”, would be the most effective way to rise to power.

Oddly, the 140 B.C. date hasn’t even come up in the ‘talk’ section for the page. Can anyone come up with an event that could be vaguely tied to having Roman politicians sitting around Life-of-Brian-like thinking, “Well, then, how are we going to win the votes of new citizens?”

“Bread?”

“I doubt they’d go for just bread … would probably have to be sandwiches”

“But who’s going to make all these sandwiches?”

“Maybe we should just give them a show or something”

“A show! What a great idea!”

“… but they’ll probably want to eat at the show too …”

“Okay then, we’ll give them a show and some snacks.”

“Well it can’t just be a handout … why don’t they bring their own snacks?”

“Hmmm … what if we supply the bread, and they supply the filling?”

“That works! Shows and Sandwiches for the win!”

” Doesn’t quite have a ring, does it …”

“Rings? Let’s give them a circus!

“Sandwiches and Circuses”

“But we’re only supplying the Bread …”

“Bread and Circuses!”

… sorry.

American Institute for Roman Culture: Sanguis et harena: Fighting around and over the Colosseum.

The Homer Multitext: Catalog of Ships Summary Scholia Part Two: Comparing the Υ.1.1 with the Venetus B.

American Philological Association: APA Blog : CONF: Hercules: A Hero for All Ages.

Ovid’s Metamorphoses: An anemone for Adonis.

American Philological Association: APA Blog : Reminder for Organizers of Panels at 2014 APA Annual Meeting.

the CAMPVS: Etymology at the snack table.