Bread and circuses hunger games

To effect real and lasting change. In addition to exploring the wonders that are the Lone Star state, JR. He's haunted by the Batman, who is in turn haunted by the myth of redemptive violence. Close Menu About.

Pop Culture. American History. Biblical History. Creative Nonfiction. The Fascinating Podcast. The Capitol instituted the annual Hunger Games as a perpetual reminder to the districts of the power it wields over them.

Significantly, though, the decadent Capitol is also highly dependent upon the districts, from which it imports large amounts of agricultural and manufacturing products.

The Romans organized [their] conquered peoples into provinces—under the control of appointed governors with absolute power over all non-Roman citizens—and stationed troops in each, ready to exercise appropriate force if necessary. In interviews, Suzanne Collins has admitted she was directly inspired by this bit of history in creating the world of The Hunger Games. As a result, both bread and circuses factor into the dynamics of the Hunger Games themselves.

Those in the outlying districts of Panem watch the Games in a state of tense anticipation, since the home district of the eventual victor i. Each year, the Panem government forces 12 surrounding districts to surrender a boy and a girl as "tributes" who must participate in a televised fight to the death.

In this fictional version of Roman gladiatorial games, only one child may survive. Author Suzanne Collins , a former children's TV writer, told the New York Times Magazine that the idea for the books and now blockbuster movie came to her as she was channel-surfing and clicked from a reality-TV competition to images of the Iraq war.

If you've ever wondered how gladiators could proclaim " Morituri te salutamus" We who are about to die, salute you , as they faced imminent death to entertain the masses, see the "The Hunger Games. Most contestants are young kids afraid of the fight. Stylists provide dazzling outfits to make the child warriors rock stars, just as Roman gladiators distinguished themselves in choosing trident or spear.

These teens need popular support in order to attract wealthy sponsors, who can parachute in containers of water, medicine or other necessaries that might save a life. Panem throws in extra incentives - special homes for the victor, and the winner's district receives extra rations for a year. The story opens the day of the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Tributes will be reaped and forced to fight to the death in an arena for the enjoyment of the Capitol.

Katniss Everdeen volunteers in the place of her younger sister, and the boy who loves her, Peeta Mellark, is chosen as well. Katniss will go on to win the support of the Capitol and districts, but along the way, she becomes the face of a revolution that she never dared to dream of.

Some 74 years ago, there was an uprising in Panem. The 13 districts rose up against the Capitol, who had absolute power over the country. The rebellion was put down and the districts were to be punished as a reminder of what they had done. They were a way for the Capitol to exert total control over the 12 districts that remained after the uprising. District 13 was bombed into oblivion and considered to still be radioactive. Panem is a country that occupies what was formerly North America.

It is made up of a capitol and 12 formerly 13 outlying districts who provide goods to the Capitol. The Capital is wealthy and flourishing while the districts struggle and starve.

Their army is a group called Peacekeepers, who live in the districts and ensure that the laws are followed. Peacekeepers sign on for 20 years of service. Each district has a mayor, appointed and sent by the Capitol.

This brings to mind the territories of Rome and the city itself. Rome was the hub of the Roman Empire all roads lead to Rome.

Rome was a huge empire and that empire was gained through annexing other cities and putting them under Roman rule. There was still some autonomy there, but everyone answered to Rome. Rome has a large military presence, and this military is what enabled them to annex other territories. Territories then had to provide the army with more soldiers- soldiers who would serve for 20 years.

Rome also sent governors to their territories to govern. Did you notice that the names of Capitol citizens in the Hunger Games were a bit… strange? Most people in the districts are named after naturally occurring things plants or goods that are produced in the districts. For example, Katniss and her sister Primrose are named after plants.

Tributes from District 1 are named after the luxury goods they produce- Cashmere, Glass, Glimmer. It should be noted that some people in District 2 also have Romanesque names: Brutus, Marcus.

Coriolanus Snow- named after a 5th century Roman General. Plutarch Heavensbee- named after a Greek philosopher. Tigris is probably named after the Tigris River.

Seneca Crane- probably named after Seneca, a Roman philosopher.