Rome's Grain Dole & Popularis Politics in the Late Republic

Few things in history are as talked about, referenced, and probably misunderstood, as the Cura Annonae--the famous (or infamous) grain dole of Ancient Rome. Commonly conceived as a system of welfare, it is more properly understood as a system designed to prevent famine in the imperial capital. Wrapped up with the development of the Cura Annonae is a new system of political agitation in the Late Republic--Popularis Methods, or Popularis Politics.
As part of a collaboration tackling historical misconceptions, this video takes a look at the Cura Annonae and its associated politics.
SOURCES
The Grain Trade in the Roman Empire, Rickman
The Food Supply of the Capital, Erdkampf
Annona (grain) in “The Oxford Classical Dictionary”, Erdkampf
The Crisis of the Roman Republic, Steel
The Patrician Tribune: Publica Clodius Pulcher, Tatum