Farmers in the city of Rome were unable to grow and harvest enough crops to feed their population. As a result,
the city was dependent upon agricultural goods produced
in the provinces. This worried the leaders of the empire.
They feared that if the people from the provinces realized
this fact, then they might question their subjugation, rise
up, and rebel. To prevent this, the republic limited the
provinces' grain rations and distracted the citizens with
entertainment, such as gladiatorial games. Because of
this, the Roman satirist Juvenal wrote, "The common
people were placated by bread and circuses."
According to the author, what was the primary function
of the gladiatorial games for the rulers of Rome?
They were purely for executions.
They showed people the government's power.
They distracted the people from their real problems.
They helped recruit new gladiators.