The Romans loved to see the Coliseum filled with thousands of people watching intently as how the games were developed; moreover the majority of people were there just to see the gladiators.
This was a very interesting method which the government used in order to determine the real needs of the citizens. As a matter of fact, everybody had to do several errands in order to be granted a ticket as a spectator. Besides the games, as it is known, Romans also loved to go to the famous Roman Baths. There, they would meet with people from their own social level, and from any other source that could be either inaccurate or improper to be cited. One of the shows that captured the observers' attention and spurred huge acclaim was definitely the gladiators' act which took place at the amphitheaters. Here, the Romans got very excited to see how men struggled for their lives. Some gladiators had to fight against fiery wild beasts that were prepared to give powerful battles. Others had to fight even against other gladiators who were willing to save their lives. A good act usually finished with the death of one of the gladiators; this was something that observers enjoyed very much. Those who attended these different kinds of ceremonies were rewarded with a peculiar system of distribution such as a ration of wheat, oil, and vine which eventually was turned into bread. As it can be seen, Romans not only got free entertainment but also free bread. In this manner, the plays, the fake ceremonies, the gladiators, the fake laughs, the false happiness, the well built naked athletes, were all the powerful instruments that rulers used in order to enslave their kindred citizens. (pbs, 2006) In this way the rulers undisguisedly kept their fellow citizens appeased under a state of conformity and did not protest against the unfair distribution of wealth or against the overwhelming abuse caused by the one who was supposed to give them a better life.