of games, as well as their subjects’ incessant demand for panem et circenses, more
comprehensible. But the ludi publiciwere already included among the arcana
imperiilong before.FURTHER READINGThe literature on the games in the imperial age is legion. For guidance one might just men-
tion Coleman (2000). For all questions connected with the games of the archaic period and,
in particular, of the republican period, as well as the interpretation of the pompapresented
here, see Bernstein (1998), as well as separately on the enigmatic Ecurria/EquirriaBernstein
(1999), then also on the long-lasting and constantly newly accentuated ConsualiaBernstein
(1997). Degrassi has edited and commentated the festival calendars (1963); Rüpke (1995a)
has presented a seminal study.
Humphrey (1986) has examined the layout and gradual extension of the circuses; Hanson
(1959) is still to be recommended for the development of theater construction. Thuillier (1985)
decisively promoted understanding of the Etruscan games culture that is documented above
all archaeologically. Numerous studies have been published on the divine dedicatees of the
games and concepts of the gods forming the basis of this: particularly on Iuppiter cf. Fears
(1981a), still Le Bonniec (1958) on Ceres and Flora, Gagé (1955) on Apollo, Borgeaud (1996)
on Mater Magna, Fears (1981b) on Victoria, as well as Long (1987) on the Twelve Gods in
Greece and Rome.
Hölkeskamp (1987) has made a more profound understanding of republican Rome’s
unique ruling elite, the nobility, possible. The discussion on the role of the drama in the for-
mation of historical tradition (and also Roman identity) has been given decisive impulses by
the reflections of Wiseman (1998).
234 Frank Bernstein