Roman republic
The expression "bread and circuses" cannot be traced back to the fall of the Republic. Augustus, the first real Emperor, began the practice of giving out bread, oil and wine to the populace (bread) and providing free entertainments for them (circuses).
You can read more here.
The Republic fell to the ambition of Augustus's uncle Julius before Augustus won the civil war following Julius's assassination, became Emperor, and consolidated his power by, among other things, instituting these two pacification projects.
Our Republic hasn't fallen to Empire.
Yet.
Regards--
Mary Anne