.gif)
Bread and Circuses (TOS episode)
Encyclopedia
"Bread and Circuses" is a second season episode of Star Trek: The Original Series
, broadcast on March 15, 1968. It is episode #54, production #43, written by Gene Roddenberry
and Gene L. Coon
and directed by Ralph Senensky
. Its name is a reference to the phrase "bread and circuses
" taken from the Satire X written by the poet, Juvenal
. In modern usage, the phrase has become an adjective to describe a populace that no longer values civic virtues, the public life and military (manly) service. Instead, the people need only food and entertainment.
Overview: Captain Kirk and his companions are forced to fight in gladiatorial games on a planet resembling the Roman Empire
.
4040.7, the starship
USS Enterprise
, commanded by Captain James T. Kirk, is on routine patrol when it encounters the wreckage of the SS Beagle, a survey vessel lost six years earlier. The Beagle was under the command of Captain R. M. Merrick, whom Kirk knew during his academy
days. First Officer Spock
traces the path of debris back to the ship's point of origin, near the fourth planet in the previously unexplored FGC 892 System.
The Enterprise soon picks up an old-style television
broadcast, with black and white video footage of what appears to be a Roman gladiatorial fight in an arena. One of the gladiators they see killed is named William B. Harrison, identified by records as one of the Beagle's flight crew.
Kirk forms a landing party consisting of himself, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy
, and beams down to the planet, known to the Federation as "892-IV", to investigate. Soon they are captured by rifle-toting men, revealed to be escaped slaves, who bring the party before their leader Septimus. When the party introduces themselves as "men of peace", Septimus asks them if they are "children of the Sun." The crew wonders how, with the culture so devoted to parallelling Roman history, the inhabitants have become sun worshipers
since "there was no sun worship among ancient Romans." (This is not quite true since members of the Roman army were devoted, at least by the 2nd Century AD, to Sol Invictus
, the "Unconquered Sun".) McCoy then responds by saying that they represent many beliefs. Septimus explains he was a Senator until he heard the "words of the Sun" and was made a slave. Although another slave, Flavius, suggests killing the landing party, Septimus overrules him and decides the landing party poses no threat.
As Kirk pages through a gladiatorial magazine, he is astounded to find the cultural development of 892 IV, called "Magna Roma" by the inhabitants, is so similar to that of the ancient Roman Empire back in Earth
's history, but mixed with mid 20th Century technology. He refers to Hodgkin's Law, and the theory of Parallel Planet Development, where the two worlds developed the same but somehow the Roman Empire never fell, and took over the world. McCoy does not understand why they all worship the Sun however, since, as he states (incorrectly
), Ancient Rome "had no Sun worshippers," as noted above.
Kirk also finds uncanny similarities in one of the culture's leaders, Merikus the First Citizen of the Empire, to Captain Merrick of the Beagle and believes they are one and the same. Kirk explains to some of the slaves that he wants to meet this Merikus. Flavius then offers to help and leads Kirk to Rome; the capital city. The landing team puts on slaves' uniforms, (grey tee-shirts with a chain symbol on the chest), and tries to sneak into the city. Along the way, Flavius explains how he was once the greatest gladiator
until he too heard the words of the Sun. The way of the Sun involves a bond of brotherhood and a commitment to peace; it was hard for a fighter to accept, but "the words were true."
They are soon captured by Roman guards (who appear like a police state
riot squad), and are placed into the slave pens. Kirk asks Flavius about the culture's institution of slavery. He discovers that a slave who performs well earns health benefits and if he survives long enough, is also compensated in the end with retirement benefits and prestige. McCoy and Spock get into another argument about logic
and Flavius asks if the two are enemies. Kirk replies "I'm not sure they're sure." Kirk asks Flavius how long ago the slaves started worshipping the Sun and Flavius says as long ago as the founding of the empire.
Later, the landing party makes an escape attempt while the guards lead them to meet Merikus. Merikus, however, has anticipated their escape and has forces waiting to apprehend them. Once again, the party is taken prisoner and they stand before Merikus and the Proconsul Claudius Marcus who dismiss the guards and invite the landing team to sit and talk in private.
There, Merikus acknowledges that he is Captain Merrick. He explains his ship was severely damaged in a meteor shower and he stopped at 892 IV for repairs. When he beamed down, he met Claudius Marcus who demanded that word of the planet's culture not be divulged to the Federation
for risk of cultural contamination. Merrick decided to stay and put whatever crewmen who refused to remain behind into the gladiatorial pits where they would certainly be killed. Merrick then informs Kirk that word of the planet's society must not leak off the world, and that the Enterprise crew must also remain behind. He tells Kirk to order the crew to abandon the ship and integrate into Magna Roma's culture.
Although he is threatened at gunpoint by armed guards, Kirk refuses Merrick's demands and instead he tells Mr. Scott
"condition green" on the communicator; this is a code-phrase indicating the sender is in trouble, but that the recipient must not attempt a rescue. Angered, Marcus sends Spock and McCoy into the arena for Kirk's defiance.
Spock and McCoy must face off against Flavius and another gladiator, Achilles, under a set of studio lights, television cameras, and an obviously fake backdrop of a Roman combat arena. The whole scene looks more like a violent game show. The battle begins as Spock quickly overpowers his opponent, and when McCoy is in trouble, Spock nerve-pinches
his opponent ending the fight to a hail of boos and hisses from a pre-recorded "crowd". Spock and McCoy are taken back to the slave pens and Kirk is taken to stand execution which will be televised live.
Kirk goes to his room where a woman, Drusilla, is waiting for him and says she is his slave. Elsewhere, Spock and McCoy are placed in another cell. McCoy tries to thank Spock for saving him in the arena, but Spock shrugs him off. McCoy tells Spock he really does care, but is just afraid to show it. Kirk meanwhile, eats and talks with Drusilla and then goes to bed . Marcus later explains that he arranged it all because he respects Kirk as a real man, equal to the Romans, and wanted him to enjoy his last hours as a man.
In the meantime, Mr. Scott works on a way to disrupt power and communications on the planet while obeying the Prime Directive
not to interfere with a planet's society. He blacks out the city just before Kirk's execution. In the diversion, Kirk frees Spock and McCoy but is soon captured again. Merrick however, does something unexpected, and radios the Enterprise to have Kirk and his party beamed back. Before he can complete the message, Marcus stabs him for his treachery. Scotty understands the message and the landing party dematerializes just as they face a hail of machine gun fire.
Back on the ship, Kirk commends Scotty. Spock again expresses to Kirk and McCoy his failure to comprehend why Sun worshipping Romans seemed to adhere to a concept of peace; Spock says it is illogical. In most societies sun worship is a primitive religion of superstition, with no philosophy of peace behind it. Uhura
has the answer. She has been monitoring radio transmissions from the planet and informs them that the Empire's spokesman has tried to ridicule the belief of these worshippers the entire time, but has utterly failed. When Kirk, Spock and McCoy remain uncomprehending she continues, "Don't you understand? It's not the sun up in the sky. It's the Son of God." Kirk replies with a note of jubilant humility: "Caesar
... and Christ
; they had them both. And the Word is spreading only now."
McCoy notes that the philosophy of total love and total brotherhood will replace the planet's philosophy of war. Spock says that it will take place in their 20th century. Noting the continued parallels of this planet's history to that of the Earth, Kirk remarks, "Wouldn't that be something to watch. To see it happen - all over again."
novel The Captain's Honor in late 1989 [ISBN 0-671-68487-6].
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry, produced by Desilu Productions . Star Trek was telecast on NBC from September 8, 1966, through June 3, 1969...
, broadcast on March 15, 1968. It is episode #54, production #43, written by Gene Roddenberry
Gene Roddenberry
Eugene Wesley "Gene" Roddenberry was an American television screenwriter, producer and futurist, best known for creating the American science fiction series Star Trek. Born in El Paso, Texas, Roddenberry grew up in Los Angeles, California where his father worked as a police officer...
and Gene L. Coon
Gene L. Coon
Gene L. Coon was an American screenwriter and television producer. He is best remembered for his work on the original Star Trek series.-Life and career:...
and directed by Ralph Senensky
Ralph Senensky
Ralph Senensky is an American television director and writer. He studied at the Pasadena Playhouse and worked as a stage director before directing for television....
. Its name is a reference to the phrase "bread and circuses
Bread and circuses
"Bread and Circuses" is a metaphor for a superficial means of appeasement...
" taken from the Satire X written by the poet, Juvenal
Juvenal
The Satires are a collection of satirical poems by the Latin author Juvenal written in the late 1st and early 2nd centuries AD.Juvenal is credited with sixteen known poems divided among five books; all are in the Roman genre of satire, which, at its most basic in the time of the author, comprised a...
. In modern usage, the phrase has become an adjective to describe a populace that no longer values civic virtues, the public life and military (manly) service. Instead, the people need only food and entertainment.
Overview: Captain Kirk and his companions are forced to fight in gladiatorial games on a planet resembling the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
.
Plot
On stardateStardate
A stardate is a date in the fictional system of time measurement developed for Star Trek, commonly heard at the beginning of a voiceover log entry such as "Captain's log, stardate 41153.7...
4040.7, the starship
Starship
A starship or interstellar spacecraft is a theoretical spacecraft designed for traveling between the stars, as opposed to a vehicle designed for orbital spaceflight or interplanetary travel....
USS Enterprise
Starship Enterprise
The Enterprise or USS Enterprise is the name of several fictional starships, some of which are the focal point for various television series and films in the Star Trek franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. It is considered a name of legacy in the fleet...
, commanded by Captain James T. Kirk, is on routine patrol when it encounters the wreckage of the SS Beagle, a survey vessel lost six years earlier. The Beagle was under the command of Captain R. M. Merrick, whom Kirk knew during his academy
Starfleet Academy
In the fictional universe of Star Trek, Starfleet Academy is where the future's recruits to Starfleet will be trained. It was created in the year 2161, when the United Federation of Planets was founded...
days. First Officer Spock
Spock
Spock is a fictional character in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by Leonard Nimoy in the original Star Trek series, Spock also appears in the animated Star Trek series, two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, seven of the Star Trek feature films, and numerous Star Trek...
traces the path of debris back to the ship's point of origin, near the fourth planet in the previously unexplored FGC 892 System.
The Enterprise soon picks up an old-style television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
broadcast, with black and white video footage of what appears to be a Roman gladiatorial fight in an arena. One of the gladiators they see killed is named William B. Harrison, identified by records as one of the Beagle's flight crew.
Kirk forms a landing party consisting of himself, Mr. Spock, and Dr. McCoy
Leonard McCoy
Leonard "Bones" McCoy is a character in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by DeForest Kelley in the original Star Trek series, McCoy also appears in the animated Star Trek series, seven Star Trek movies, the pilot episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and in numerous books,...
, and beams down to the planet, known to the Federation as "892-IV", to investigate. Soon they are captured by rifle-toting men, revealed to be escaped slaves, who bring the party before their leader Septimus. When the party introduces themselves as "men of peace", Septimus asks them if they are "children of the Sun." The crew wonders how, with the culture so devoted to parallelling Roman history, the inhabitants have become sun worshipers
Solar deity
A solar deity is a sky deity who represents the Sun, or an aspect of it, usually by its perceived power and strength. Solar deities and sun worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms...
since "there was no sun worship among ancient Romans." (This is not quite true since members of the Roman army were devoted, at least by the 2nd Century AD, to Sol Invictus
Sol Invictus
Sol Invictus was the official sun god of the later Roman empire. In 274 Aurelian made it an official cult alongside the traditional Roman cults. Scholars disagree whether the new deity was a refoundation of the ancient Latin cult of Sol, a revival of the cult of Elagabalus or completely new...
, the "Unconquered Sun".) McCoy then responds by saying that they represent many beliefs. Septimus explains he was a Senator until he heard the "words of the Sun" and was made a slave. Although another slave, Flavius, suggests killing the landing party, Septimus overrules him and decides the landing party poses no threat.
As Kirk pages through a gladiatorial magazine, he is astounded to find the cultural development of 892 IV, called "Magna Roma" by the inhabitants, is so similar to that of the ancient Roman Empire back in Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
's history, but mixed with mid 20th Century technology. He refers to Hodgkin's Law, and the theory of Parallel Planet Development, where the two worlds developed the same but somehow the Roman Empire never fell, and took over the world. McCoy does not understand why they all worship the Sun however, since, as he states (incorrectly
Sol Invictus
Sol Invictus was the official sun god of the later Roman empire. In 274 Aurelian made it an official cult alongside the traditional Roman cults. Scholars disagree whether the new deity was a refoundation of the ancient Latin cult of Sol, a revival of the cult of Elagabalus or completely new...
), Ancient Rome "had no Sun worshippers," as noted above.
Kirk also finds uncanny similarities in one of the culture's leaders, Merikus the First Citizen of the Empire, to Captain Merrick of the Beagle and believes they are one and the same. Kirk explains to some of the slaves that he wants to meet this Merikus. Flavius then offers to help and leads Kirk to Rome; the capital city. The landing team puts on slaves' uniforms, (grey tee-shirts with a chain symbol on the chest), and tries to sneak into the city. Along the way, Flavius explains how he was once the greatest gladiator
Gladiator
A gladiator was an armed combatant who entertained audiences in the Roman Republic and Roman Empire in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators were volunteers who risked their legal and social standing and their lives by appearing in the...
until he too heard the words of the Sun. The way of the Sun involves a bond of brotherhood and a commitment to peace; it was hard for a fighter to accept, but "the words were true."
They are soon captured by Roman guards (who appear like a police state
Police state
A police state is one in which the government exercises rigid and repressive controls over the social, economic and political life of the population...
riot squad), and are placed into the slave pens. Kirk asks Flavius about the culture's institution of slavery. He discovers that a slave who performs well earns health benefits and if he survives long enough, is also compensated in the end with retirement benefits and prestige. McCoy and Spock get into another argument about logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
and Flavius asks if the two are enemies. Kirk replies "I'm not sure they're sure." Kirk asks Flavius how long ago the slaves started worshipping the Sun and Flavius says as long ago as the founding of the empire.
Later, the landing party makes an escape attempt while the guards lead them to meet Merikus. Merikus, however, has anticipated their escape and has forces waiting to apprehend them. Once again, the party is taken prisoner and they stand before Merikus and the Proconsul Claudius Marcus who dismiss the guards and invite the landing team to sit and talk in private.
There, Merikus acknowledges that he is Captain Merrick. He explains his ship was severely damaged in a meteor shower and he stopped at 892 IV for repairs. When he beamed down, he met Claudius Marcus who demanded that word of the planet's culture not be divulged to the Federation
United Federation of Planets
The United Federation of Planets, also known as "The Federation" is a fictional interplanetary federal republic depicted in the Star Trek television series and motion pictures...
for risk of cultural contamination. Merrick decided to stay and put whatever crewmen who refused to remain behind into the gladiatorial pits where they would certainly be killed. Merrick then informs Kirk that word of the planet's society must not leak off the world, and that the Enterprise crew must also remain behind. He tells Kirk to order the crew to abandon the ship and integrate into Magna Roma's culture.
Although he is threatened at gunpoint by armed guards, Kirk refuses Merrick's demands and instead he tells Mr. Scott
Montgomery Scott
Montgomery "Scotty" Scott is a Scottish engineer in the Star Trek media franchise. First portrayed by James Doohan in the original Star Trek series, Scotty also appears in the animated Star Trek series, seven Star Trek movies, the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Relics", and in numerous...
"condition green" on the communicator; this is a code-phrase indicating the sender is in trouble, but that the recipient must not attempt a rescue. Angered, Marcus sends Spock and McCoy into the arena for Kirk's defiance.
Spock and McCoy must face off against Flavius and another gladiator, Achilles, under a set of studio lights, television cameras, and an obviously fake backdrop of a Roman combat arena. The whole scene looks more like a violent game show. The battle begins as Spock quickly overpowers his opponent, and when McCoy is in trouble, Spock nerve-pinches
Vulcan nerve pinch
In the fictional Star Trek universe, the Vulcan nerve pinch is a technique used mainly by Vulcans to render unconsciousness by pinching a pressure point at the base of the victim’s neck...
his opponent ending the fight to a hail of boos and hisses from a pre-recorded "crowd". Spock and McCoy are taken back to the slave pens and Kirk is taken to stand execution which will be televised live.
Kirk goes to his room where a woman, Drusilla, is waiting for him and says she is his slave. Elsewhere, Spock and McCoy are placed in another cell. McCoy tries to thank Spock for saving him in the arena, but Spock shrugs him off. McCoy tells Spock he really does care, but is just afraid to show it. Kirk meanwhile, eats and talks with Drusilla and then goes to bed . Marcus later explains that he arranged it all because he respects Kirk as a real man, equal to the Romans, and wanted him to enjoy his last hours as a man.
In the meantime, Mr. Scott works on a way to disrupt power and communications on the planet while obeying the Prime Directive
Prime Directive
In the universe of Star Trek, the Prime Directive, Starfleet's General Order #1, is the most prominent guiding principle of the United Federation of Planets...
not to interfere with a planet's society. He blacks out the city just before Kirk's execution. In the diversion, Kirk frees Spock and McCoy but is soon captured again. Merrick however, does something unexpected, and radios the Enterprise to have Kirk and his party beamed back. Before he can complete the message, Marcus stabs him for his treachery. Scotty understands the message and the landing party dematerializes just as they face a hail of machine gun fire.
Back on the ship, Kirk commends Scotty. Spock again expresses to Kirk and McCoy his failure to comprehend why Sun worshipping Romans seemed to adhere to a concept of peace; Spock says it is illogical. In most societies sun worship is a primitive religion of superstition, with no philosophy of peace behind it. Uhura
Uhura
Nyota Uhura is a character in Star Trek: The Original Series, Star Trek: The Animated Series, the first six Star Trek films, and the 2009 film Star Trek...
has the answer. She has been monitoring radio transmissions from the planet and informs them that the Empire's spokesman has tried to ridicule the belief of these worshippers the entire time, but has utterly failed. When Kirk, Spock and McCoy remain uncomprehending she continues, "Don't you understand? It's not the sun up in the sky. It's the Son of God." Kirk replies with a note of jubilant humility: "Caesar
Julius Caesar
Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire....
... and Christ
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
; they had them both. And the Word is spreading only now."
McCoy notes that the philosophy of total love and total brotherhood will replace the planet's philosophy of war. Spock says that it will take place in their 20th century. Noting the continued parallels of this planet's history to that of the Earth, Kirk remarks, "Wouldn't that be something to watch. To see it happen - all over again."
40th Anniversary remastering
This episode was remastered in 2006 and was first aired June 2, 2007 as part of the remastered 40th Anniversary original series. It was preceded a week earlier by the remastered version of "Shore Leave" and followed a week later by the remastered version of "Spock's Brain". Aside from remastered video and audio, and the all-CGI animation of the Enterprise that is standard among the revisions, specific changes to this episode also include:- The planet 892-IV has been changed to appear more Earthlike. It has also been given two moons.
- The two moons have been added to the blue sky during the establishing "beam in" sequence.
- Bullet holes now appear in the prison cell wall after the guards try to machine gun the landing party as they beam away.
- As the Enterprise approaches 892-IV, bits and pieces of the Beagle can be seen floating around it.
Legacy
The planet 892-IV was renamed Magna Roma in the Pocket Books published Star Trek: The Next GenerationStar Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
novel The Captain's Honor in late 1989 [ISBN 0-671-68487-6].