On Tue, 31 May 2005 13:08:50 +1200 Richard Tindall <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> What was it the Romans used to say about "bread and circuses"? from http://www.thomasjamesmartin.com/breadcircus.htm """ Those scornful words "bread and circuses," panem et circenses in Latin, become more meaningful when you understand that Roman citizens became increasingly addicted to free distributions of food and the violent gladiatorial and other contests held in the Coliseum and the chariot races of the Circus Maximus. He felt that Romans had lost the capacity to govern themselves so distracted by mindless self-gratification had they become. Thus, bread and circuses, is a phrase now used to deplore a population so distracted with entertainment and personal pleasures (sometimes by design of those in power) that they no longer value the civic virtues and bow to civil authority with unquestioned obedience. Bread and Circuses has also become a general term for government policies that seek short-term solutions to public unrest. """ I don't think is really applicable to the topic at hand ( or maybe I like to think it doesn't :-) ) it may be to soccer in Italy thou. cheers -- Delio
