Panem

**Panem** was a sovereign nuclear state and democratic constitutional republic that was established in 2376 AD after a series of ecological disasters and a global conflict brought about the collapse of modern civilization. It was situated in North America, consisting of a federal district (the Capitol), and thirteen surrounding districts, located in what is the United States in the 21st-century and the remainders of Canada and Mexico.

Panem's central government operated as a totalitarian dictatorship and police state with society, particularly in the Capitol, modeled heavily on ancient Rome. The outlying Districts were subservient to the Capitol, were expected to provide significant economic and material services in exchange for protection provided by the Capitol's armies of Peacekeepers, largely at the heavy expense and detriment to the districts' populace. This inherently uneven and unequal relationship was brutally enforced on the districts for several years, culminating in the outbreak of a civil war known as the First Rebellion, led by District 13, Panem's then center of its military-industrial complex.

After three years of conflict, the rebellion collapsed with the apparent destruction of District 13, bringing about the Dark Days. However, unbeknownst to the wider populace of Pane, District 13 had survived, having organized a separate peace with the Capitol after securing a significant portion of the Capitol's nuclear weapon stockpile. In accordance with the ceasefire, District 13 disengaged from the insurrection and appeared destroyed on the surface in exchange for its independence and a non-aggression pact. The remaining districts were quickly pacified with the resulting Treaty of Treason enforcing a harsh peace on the defeated districts, as well as instituting a sadistic annual event known as the Hunger Games, established as a continual reminder of the failed past insurrection and to never make an attempt at it again. Public executions and whippings, severe restrictions on civil rights, and mass surveillance became widespread throughout Panem in the following years. The outlying districts were also effectively quarantined from one another, with all inter-district travel and communication banned except under rare official matters.

For the next seventy-four years, the districts endured continued oppression and humiliation at the hands of the Capitol through the annual occurrence of the Hunger Games. Despite the Games' intended goal of snuffing out future insurrections by reminding the districts of the cost of war, the Games only acted to further incite seditious activity in the populace that gradually built up over the decades. By the time of the rule of President Snow, the most recent and last of Panem's line of dictators for 57 years, civil unrest was mounting in a number of Districts which, following the 74th Hunger Games, further escalated and spread despite several brutal crackdowns. This culminated in the outbreak of the Second Rebellion following the 75th Hunger Games, with the districts once again being led by District 13 in a revolution to overthrow Panem's totalitarian government. Within a year, the Snow regime was deposed and Panem was transformed into a democratic constitutional republic, led by Commander Paylor. It was dominant and only known society in North America. Apart from Panem, only minor African civilizations existed in the world.

The name Panem derived from the Latin phrase *Panem et circenses*, which literally translated into 'bread and circuses'. The phrase itself was used to describe entertainment used to distract public attention from more important matters. Furthermore, by the government providing ample food, entertainment, and protection, the citizens would give up their political rights.

At the end of the Dark Days, Panem had a population of 2,034,173. By 40 ATT, it had a population of 5,193,462. By 74 ATT, it had a population of 4,701,472. Panem's official currency was the solidus (plural 'solidi'), which was worth 0.929146% of an American dollar (USD).

## Location and geography

Panem was located on the continent of North America, with its territory encompassing areas formerly controlled by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The administrative center of the country, the Capitol, was located in the Rocky Mountains, roughly corresponding to being within the area of the former U.S. state of Wyoming and Utah. Each one of its thirteen outlying districts were situated across the continent and given their large size, cover significant portions of former U.S. states, Mexican states and Canadian provinces.

The size of the country was not as large as North America in the 21st century, given that large areas of land across the world were flooded by rising sea level. Nevertheless, it was much larger than the United States, spanning from the east coast to the west coast of North America and stretching from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Given the territory it covers, Panem's geography largely resembled that of the former United States.

## Government

For the entirety of its history, Panem was run as a totalitarian dictatorship led by an elected president who served for life and wielded absolute power over the government and military. There were five of these presidents, one of which (Alma Coin) served interim. The first president ruled from 73 BTT to 31 BTT. President Ravinstill ruled from 30 BTT to 17 ATT. President Snow ruled from 18 ATT to 75 ATT. President Coin ruled interim for a very brief period in 76 ATT. President Paylor was elected in 76 ATT. After the Treaty of Treason, only Capitol citizens were eligible to vote. However, in 76 ATT, this was reverted so citizens of all districts could vote.

Districts 7, 13, and 10 were originally independent nations. The president possessed a cabinet, with ministers that oversaw different areas of the government. The minister cabinet positions were:

* Minister of Defense
* Minister of District Affairs
* Minister of Interior
* Minister of Military
* Minister of Entertainment (pre- Second Rebellion)
* Minister of Consumption
* Minister of Health
* Minister of Justice (post-Second Rebellion)
* Minister of Education (post-Second Rebellion)

The government overall was modelled after that of ancient Rome, reflected in Capitol society by the citizenry taking names of Greco-Roman origin and the architecture of the city. Due to the nature of the totalitarian dictatorship governing Panem, citizens, particularly in the districts, previously had little civil liberties and virtually no capacity for self-governance or say in how to be governed. Even in the Capitol, its citizens have surrendered such rights in exchange for "bread and circus." As such, Capitol citizens partake in lavish and hedonistic lifestyle dominated by mass entertainment, parties, and extravagant fashion that was largely removed from the oppressions and destitution faced by the outlying Districts.

## Flag

Panem's original flag consisted of a red banner, which at its center contained a gold, stylized eagle holding four arrows pointing to the left and right, surrounded by a gold barley laurel. The flag's design harkened backs to that of the Roman Empire, to which Capitol society and its government drew heavy influence from and attempted to emulate. This was reflected in the naming convention of the citizens from the Capitol, the architecture of the buildings and skyscrapers of the Capitol, and even the name of the nation itself, derived from the Latin phrase *panem et circenses*. This flag was in use from the founding of Panem through the period of the Hunger Games and reign of President Coriolanus Snow, until the final collapse of the authoritarian regime at the end of the Second Rebellion.

Following the overthrow of the Snow regime and Panem's transition into a democratic constitutional republic, the government adopted a new flag. This flag possessed a navy-blue banner, with at its center a gold circle with rising chevrons above it, while at its base was a banner emblazoned with the nations name. Surrounding it was a gold olive branch laurel, which was in turn surrounded by fourteen stars. The flag had many inherent meanings. The blue color and olive branch were commonly associated with peace and democracy, while the gold circle and chevrons above it resembled a rising sun, to signify the dawn of a new era for the country as a peaceful, democratic republic. Finally, the fourteens stars represented the thirteen districts and the Capitol, no longer dominated by the Capitol itself, but now united together and on equal footing.

## Military

Law enforcement was provided through a military/police force known as the Peacekeepers. Each district possessed a local garrison of Peacekeepers led by a Head Peacekeeper (the Capitol possessed four Head Peacekeepers). These individuals were responsible for commanding the district's Peacekeeper force and the enforcement of the laws of Panem within their designated district. The Minister of Military and the Minister of Defense had equal authority over the Peacekeepers.

The Peacekeeper force was originally headquartered in District 13, the then center of Panem's military-industrial complex. Following the First Rebellion, the Peacekeepers' headquarters were relocated to District 2. For the next seventy-five years, the Capitol's command and control center for its military was centered in the Nut, a heavily fortified mountain fortress that overlooked District 2. As a result of District 2's position regarding the Capitol military, most soldiers who enlisted in the Peacekeepers came from District 2, although a significant portion originated from the Capitol or District 8, and a small minority (fewer than 1%) came from the other Districts.

Peacekeepers were distinguished by their near-all white uniforms. In times of intense civil unrest, such as the aftermath of the 74th Hunger Games into the lead up of the Second Rebellion, there was a tactical variant of their uniform that was more heavily armored.

The Peacekeepers had a number of mechanized equipment at their disposal including armored ground vehicles as well as the Capitol's vast fleet of hovercraft. In addition, the Capitol possessed a significant arsenal of nuclear weapons.

## Behind the scenes

Panem and the general setting of *The Hunger Games* has many references to the Ancient Roman Empire. The Games themselves are reminiscent of the Roman *munera*, or gladiatorial games. The districts surrounding the Capitol are similar to the Roman provinces that surrounded the city of Rome. Many names, particularly of those from the Capitol are Roman names, such as Cinna, Seneca, Caesar, Coriolanus, Portia etc.

The name "Panem" itself comes from the Latin expression *panem et circenses*, which means "bread and circuses", a political strategy to keep the people satisfied with the current leaders by distracting them with cheap food ("bread") and entertainment ("circuses"), the two basis of Panem's control over the districts and the people within. The *Hunger Games* version of *panem et circenses* is far darker and crueler than the Roman version, as food and entertainment are also used as a means of coercion (through threats of being withheld) as well as for distraction.

Additionally, Panem may also have a secondary derivation as a corrupted form of "Pan-Am" ("Pan-America"), hinted by the fact that the name "Panem" is pronounced in the movies with both syllables stressed.

Panem had 13 districts, possibly an allusion to the original Thirteen American Colonies that rebelled against their British rulers.

You can find a map of all 13 districts of Panem here.