Bread and circuses - Хлеба и зрелищ

The phrase bread and circuses is taken from a sa tire by Juvenal, a Roman satirical poet. During the reign of Emperor Augustus it was the demand of the Roman populace. The phrase is a translation loan of the Latin Panem et circensesl (bread and circus games!) The parties struggling for political influence in Rome tried to canvass supporters among the poorest but most numerous city population by arranging for them feasts with free food and spectacular amusements, the favourite amusement being circus games. But the people did not care which party stood them free dinner, and Juvenal in his satire castigates the Roman mob for their indifference to politics.

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Выражение хлеба и зрелищ заимствовано из сатиры римского поэта Ювенала. Это был лозунг римской черни при императоре Августе. Выражение является калькой с латинского.