The expression panem et circenses (Latin: [pa n t k r k se s]) originates from the Roman poet Juvenal. It means 'Bread and Circus Games.' In his satire, Juvenal criticized that the Roman people during the Principate, disempowered by emperors Augustus and Tiberius, no longer cared about politics and only desired these two things: bread and games. Instead, scholarly literature suggests that even during the late Republic, voters expected panem et circenses and were bribed in this way to cast their votes in the magistrate elections. Even in the times of the Roman Republic, the Senate provided extremely subsidized, sometimes even free, grain to the citizens of Rome. This aimed to supply the masses of the poor, the plebs, sufficiently to prevent them from starting uprisings. At the same time, wealthy nobles often organized circus and gladiatorial games, which were free for every citizen to attend. Successful politicians like Julius Caesar secured votes in regular elections by distributing large quantities of food and hosting particularly magnificent and entertaining games. This ensured that the respective politician was elected. Through this 'manipulation,' citizens were provided with ever more entertainment and free food, while at the same time, a political office became more or less purchasable. This was not much different back then than it is today.