The ancient Romans were fond of games. So fond that a politician's popularity could hinge on the games that he organized during his tenure as a Curile Aedile, one of the career steps for a man rising in the Roman political establishment. To be known for putting on outstanding games earned a man votes for future positions in government.
Roman games served the purpose of diverting the attention of the common Romans away from many of their problems, and helped to keep them pacified while the elite Romans squeezed the system for all that they could get. Of course this political tool was not unique to Ancient Rome. Entertainment is still commonly used as a means for distracting the population from serious matters.
