Geography of Appalachian Coal Country

The world of the Hunger Games

Chapter 1

The real-world inspirations of Panem

Chapter 2

Science and survival in the arena

Chapter 3

The media wars and rebellion

Chapter 4

The evolution of Coriolanus Snow

YOUR GOAL

Master of The world of the Hunger Games

Ch 1 · The real-world inspirations of Panem

Paris went wild for exotic giraffes decades before the Eiffel Tower, mirroring Capitol-style spectacles.

play_review A spotted giraffe stands on the grassy lawn before the towering Eiffel Tower.

noorrrrrrrrr Real-World Inspirations of Panem

We call it Panem for the bread and circus games / (Yeah, those Roman games!) / Give 'em a show and watch them forget their chains

noorrrrrrrrr Reality TV and footage of Iraq

Reality TV and footage of Iraq

noorrrrrrrrr The concept of the books came from a real-world moment of channel surfing during the Iraq War.

The myth of Theseus and the Minotaur

noorrrrrrrrr The tribute system is a direct adaptation of the ancient Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur.

Panem Spark Finder

BETA

noorrrrrrrrr Tap hidden sparks across the districts to discover how Panem's rebellion caught fire.

Fun Fact

Roman origin: The name Panem comes from the Latin phrase 'panem et circenses,' which translates to 'bread and circuses' and refers to distracting citizens with entertainment.

Glossary

bread and circuses (noun)
A political strategy of offering food and entertainment to keep a population pacified and distracted. Author Suzanne Collins derived the name of her fictional nation, Panem, from this ancient Roman concept.

Gossip

Which Panem district would you prefer to live in?

Quiz

Which Roman political concept refers to keeping citizens happy with food and entertainment?

noorrrrrrrrr The myth of Theseus and the Minotaur

Quiz

What Latin phrase inspired the name of the nation Panem?

noorrrrrrrrr Roman gladiators and the Colosseum

Quiz

Which real-world mountain region in North America inspired the coal-mining District 12?

noorrrrrrrrr The geography of Appalachian coal country

Quiz

In what year did author Suzanne Collins publish the first Hunger Games novel?

Quiz

Which ancient Greek myth inspired the concept of sending tributes to an arena?

Quiz

What real-world event was author Suzanne Collins watching on television when she got the idea for the books?

Quiz

How many districts originally made up the nation of Panem before the first rebellion?

Quiz

What is the name of the futuristic, wealthy capital city in the Hunger Games series?