During the Roman Empire, the emperor kept the poverty-stricken masses pacified by giving them free grain and providing entertainment on a grand scale. This method of keeping the people happy is known as the "bread and circuses" policy.The Roman Emperors' "bread and circuses" strategy was implemented to maintain political power by ensuring that citizens were happy, content, and distracted. It was essentially a bribe to keep the lower classes happy so that the emperor could maintain power without any uprisings. It was accomplished by giving out free food to the people, particularly the poor, and providing lavish entertainment spectacles for the public. This approach was intended to divert the people's attention from the lack of basic necessities and the ruling elite's brutality.For hundreds of years, the Roman Empire's "bread and circuses" method of governance was incredibly effective. Citizens were preoccupied with the luxuries that the emperors offered, and few opposed the government's policies. The approach, on the other hand, became one of the reasons for the Roman Empire's eventual downfall. The "bread and circuses" approach required vast amounts of money and resources to provide food and entertainment to the masses. When the empire could no longer afford it, unrest and rebellions ensued.