The emperors excused the superfluity of their plays and public spectacles by reason that their authority in some sort (at least in outward appearance) depended upon the will of the people of Rome, who, time out of mind, had been accustomed to be entertained and caressed with such shows and excesses.
Enperadoreek bere joko eta erakustaldi publikoetarako aitzakia ateratzen zuten honako honetarik: beren manu-indarra nolabait ere zetorkiela (itxuraz bederen) Erromako jendearen borondatetik, betidanik ohitua baitzen halako emankizun eta soberakerien bidez lausengaturik izatera.