Do Panem citizens know of their Roman namesake?
The Country of Panem is covers the ruins of a war torn and geologically changed North America some X hundred years from now. Yet everyone and their mother is named after Roman Empire based Latin and Greek names.
Suzanne Collins has noted that The Hunger Games is essentially a modern (futuristic) retelling of Ancient Rome's era of *Panem et Circenses, Bread and Circus (read, Hunger and Games).
This explains their out-of-universe naming. But since Panem exists in the real Earth, with a maybe not so distant history that includes the real Roman Empire, do Panem citizens know of their Roman heritage?
Best Answer
Yes.
Or at least some of them do. Obviously most of the people in the districts, living impoverished lives, are fairly uneducated and probably don't know and don't care about such ancient history. Privileged Capitol citizens, however, such as Plutarch Heavensbee, clearly do. Quoting from the novel Mockingjay on which the films were based (emphasis mine):
"Oh, the city might be able to scrape along for a while," says Plutarch. "Certainly, there are emergency supplies stockpiled. But the significant difference between Thirteen and the Capitol are the expectations of the populace. Thirteen was used to hardship, whereas in the Capitol, all they've known is Panem et Circenses."
"What's that?" I recognize Panem , of course, but the rest is nonsense.
"It's a saying from thousands of years ago, written in a language called Latin about a place called Rome," he explains. "Panem et Circenses translates into 'Bread and Circuses.' The writer was saying that in return for full bellies and entertainment, his people had given up their political responsibilities and therefore their power."
I think about the Capitol. The excess of food. And the ultimate entertainment. The Hunger Games. "So that's what the districts are for. To provide the bread and circuses."
"Yes. And as long as that kept rolling in, the Capitol could control its little empire. Right now, it can provide neither, at least at the standard the people are accustomed to," says Plutarch. "We have the food and I'm about to orchestrate an entertainment propo that's sure to be popular. After all, everybody loves a wedding."
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How is Panem like ancient Rome?
Panem is almost like a remake of the Roman Empire. Panem is divided into 'districts' which could represent how Rome was divided into 'provinces''. Peacekeepers in the Hunger Games could also resemble the Roman Empire whom were known for their army that controlled the provinces which is very similar to Panem.Is the Hunger Games based on the Roman Empire?
The Roman allusions in the Hunger Games are myriad and clearly intentional. Suzanne Collins has stated in interviews that the ancient world, and in particular gladiatorial games, was the inspiration for the idea of an autocratic government forcing people to fight to the death for the entertainment of the masses.Why is the country in the Hunger Games called Panem?
(The word "Panem" is part of the Latin phrase "panem et circenses," which means "bread and circuses.") The country was divided into 13 districts, and the city called the Capitol ruled over the area.What does Panem mean?
The word panem is Latin for \u201cbread,\u201d and given the similarity of the Hunger Games to the gladiatorial Games of Ancient Rome, it recalls panem et circenses, or \u201cbread and circuses.\u201d The phrase refers to the Roman Caesars' strategy of quelling public discontent by providing the people with plenty of food and ...Panem Et Circenses
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