The Auron MacIntyre Show The Government Shutdown Means the End of the Republic? | Guest: Alex Petkas | 10/31/25
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Oct 31, 2025 
Join historian Alex Petkas, host of the Cost of Glory podcast, as he connects the dots between modern political crises and ancient Rome. He discusses the consequences of a government shutdown, drawing parallels to the Roman grain dole's impact on society. Alex explains how military funding historically shifted from state support to private patronage, echoing today's dynamics. The conversation delves into how these structures influenced loyalty and civic stability, making for an engaging exploration of history's lessons for contemporary governance.
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Origins And Political Power Of The Grain Dole
- The Roman grain dole began under Tiberius Gracchus as subsidized grain at a fixed price rather than outright free distribution.
- That early policy became a durable entitlement that reshaped politics and urban stability in Rome.
Senator Caught In The Bread Line
- A senator who opposed the grain law was later seen collecting grain himself to prove the system's broad uptake.
- By Clodius's law in 58 BC the grain dole became free and swelled to around 300,000 recipients.
Grain Control Became State Power
- Rome institutionalized the grain supply by creating the Prefect of the Grain with imperium to secure imports and enforce order.
- Controlling grain logistics became a direct source of political power and public order enforcement.
