That episode was titled, "Bread and Circuses." Coincidental to it's references to Imperial Rome, its original broadcast date was on the Ides of March, 1968.
I think I saw that episode. Uhura realizes (I think toward the end) that the sun worshippers are actually Son worshippers, and she explains this to the captain or Spock or somebody. Am I remembering it correctly?
I don't think I ever saw that episode.
I found it interesting that the country in "Hunger Games" is called Panem... as in "Panem et Circenses", or Bread and Circuses."
The Capitol of Panem (cleverly named "Capitol") has an Imperial Roman feel in its architecture and symbolism.