How ancient Rome pioneered the welfare system

          Ancient Rome was the first civilization to incorporate a welfare system for it's citizens, consisting of food, education and other services for the needy.   The initial system started in 122 B.C. under Augustus under the subsidizing of grain for people who could not afford food every month. This system eventually grew under Trajan who implemented a program called "alimenta" which helped feed, clothe and educate orphans and poor children.
       



           Trajan's system went far and beyond the simple distribution of leftover grain for the needy.  This system used tokens called "tessera" which were distributed to the poor in certain amounts, these tokens were a sort of welfare currency as they could be cashed in for food items such as corn, pork, bread and wine.  These handouts were of course favored by Rome's citizens and generated public support for emperors however historians argue that it was this handout system that contributed to Rome's downfall.  


Sources:  "Welfare in the Roman Empire." CalCoastNews RSS. N.p., 28 Oct. 2013. Web. 12 Oct. 2015.
                  "10 Innovations That Built Ancient Rome." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web.                    12 Oct. 2015.