Final answer:
The relief provided by the Roman government to its impoverished citizens is referred to as "bread and circus government."
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase that refers to the types of relief the Roman government provided to its impoverished citizens is "bread and circus government." During the Imperial period, the Roman government distributed free grain, wine, and olive oil to the citizens of Rome, as well as provided free public games and theater performances. These measures were aimed at keeping urban unrest at bay and were both a cynical move by the state and a legal right of the urban citizens.