Roman Influence
Just as in Rome, Panem was organized into districts when the capitol ‘conquered’ them, and they used power to subjugate the poor ("The Hunger Games: Themes and Construction"). …show more content…
This can initiate the process of rebellion and instill revolutionary liberal ideals in the subjects’ minds. An unchanging populous would make it easier for the Capitol to keep control of Panem, and conservative values can keep the social classes at the same stance they have been.
The host for the Hunger Games interviews, Caesar Flickerman, is based on the Roman leader, Julius Caesar. Flickerman uses his interviewing skills to trick the contestants into showing their entertaining side to the audience so they can be entertained. He also, after the Games when Katniss and Peeta won the 74th Hunger Games, he interviewed Peeta and manipulated his replies by showing what the audience would like to hear. Julius Caesar would do the same actions with the Roman Empire, as he manipulated the triumvirate of Pompey, Crassus, and himself in order to become dictator. When Julius Caesar gave speeches, he could convince almost anyone to do what he wants them to do. A prime example of this is Marcus Aurelius, who began to enter politics due to the influence of Julius Caesar. This shows the author’s intention of mirroring Roman …show more content…
Saddam Hussein’s rise to power also mirrors the rise of the Capitol, and their process of subjugating social classes. When he came to be leader of the Baath party, he executed several hundred other party members that did not agree with his ideas. This is in accordance to the Dark Ages, when the Capitol was spreading all over Panem, and executing nonconforming people. Also, after Saddam had control of Iraq, he was prejudiced against the Kurds and the Shiites, and his regime saw the massacres of thousands of Kurds and Shiites and destruction of their places of worship and schools. He made the Sunni Arabs the preferred race and religion, just as the Capitol considers their citizens as the most