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."
What problem was facing the people of Rome?
a lack of entertainment
a lack of food
a lack of water
a lack of influence in government