I had also thought about this at some point too...
And Foots explanation has pretty much satisfied my uncertainty :-)
Re: Granaries and Trade Reduction
I had also thought about this at some point too...
And Foots explanation has pretty much satisfied my uncertainty :-)
Re: Granaries and Trade Reduction
As for the Bread and Circuses it went like this.
During Res Publica Romana in times of grain shortage a certain grain ration was available at a low price for all citizens of Rome, including the very rich. This ration was slightly more than one man could consume, but not enough for a family. I cannot recall how large.
Caesar and Augustus started giving out free grain for the urban poor in times of need. Later emperors continued the practise.
'For months Augustus let hair and beard grow and occasionally banged his head against the walls whilst shouting; "Quinctillius Varus, give me my legions back"' -Sueton, Augustus.
"Deliver us oh God, from the fury of the Norsemen", French prayer, 9th century.
Ask gi'r klask! ask-vikingekampgruppe.dk
Balloon count: 13
Re: Granaries and Trade Reduction
Essentially similar policies were pursued to varying degrees (up to and including pirating someone else's grain shipments...) by most Mediterranean realms, city-states and suchlike in the 1500s, for the exact same reasons. Food riots suck and are bad for business.
"Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. --- Proof of the existence of the FSM, if needed, can be found in the recent uptick of global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. Apparently His Pastaness is to be worshipped in full pirate regalia. The decline in worldwide pirate population over the past 200 years directly corresponds with the increase in global temperature. Here is a graph to illustrate the point."
-Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
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