political life Flashcards
(19 cards)
Cicero
competition for office was so fierce that it was harder to gain a seat in the City Council of Pompeii than in the Roman Senate
heavy gates in the curia
suggests that some meetings may have been quite boisterous, and may also have been used on polling day and its location close to the basilica is in favour of its identification as a political building
“Here’s my advice, share out the common chest, for in our coffers piles of money rests”
graffitists were sometimes unhappy with election results, and drew caricatures and graffiti to express their opinions
political families
James Franklin has mapped out political families, finding certain families enjoyed political prominence for generations, and owned properties
“We beg you to make M. Casellius and L. Albucius aediles. Statia and Petronia ask. May our colony always have such citizens!”
Written on a bakery wall
Praising their character
Written by women, shows the role of women in politics
“All the drunkards ask you to elect Marcus Cerrinius Vatiae aedile. Florus and Fructus wrote this!”
satirical graffiti, florus and fructus random people, drunkards bad group of people
“Innkeepers, make Sallustius Capito aedile”
Targeting group of innkeepers
Candidate would have made specific orders to innkeepers to make himself appeal to them, similar to patron-client relationship
“As a group, the worshippers of Isis demand the election of Gnaeus Helvius Sabinus as aedile”
Religious cults showing their support for certain candidates
“The petty thieves ask you to elect Vatia as aedile. And the late sleepers ask you to elect Vatia as aedile”
satirical propaganda
“Gaius Cuspius Pansa, son of Gaius, the rather, duumvir with judicial power four times, quinquennial, praefectus with judicial power by degree of the town councillors, in accordance with petronia law”
Showcases achievements of his family line
Shows significance of family in political life
“Marcus Holconius Rufus, duumvir with judicial authority for the third time, and Gaius Egnatius Postumus, duumvir with judicial authority for second time, in accordance with a decree of the decurions purchased for 3000 sesterces the right to shut out light and cause to be constructed a wall belonging to the colony of Pompeii to the height of the tiles.”
Inscription from the Pompeian forum
Shows two candidates in collaboration, doing good acts for the general public
Shows their previous achievements of duumvir
Includes the price and money spent
“Lucius Sepunius Sandilianus the son of Lucius, and Marcus Herrenius Epidianus the son of Aulus, duumviri with judicial authority, caused [this sundial] to be erected at their own expense”
Joint effort of 2 candidates
Importance of family
Erected a sundial in the forum at their own expense, which would have benefitted many
“To Marcus Lucretius Decidianus Rufus duumvir three times,quinquennial, priest, military tribune by popular demand, staff officer.”
Epitaph on tomb
Life achievements depicted, mostly consisting of the political roles they held in their society
Shows great pride is taken in one’s political achievements
“The fullones ask for votes for Olconius Priscus as aedile”
Industry behind candidate
“Vesonius Primus urges the election of Gnaeus Helvius as aedile, a man worthy of public office”
Emphasises his good traits
Shows the importance of character in elections
“The inhabitants of the saltworks district recommend M Cerrinius as aedile”
Support from people of a residential area
“Vote for Lucius Popidius Sabinus. His grandmother worked hard for his last election and is pleased with the results”
Shows the role of women in promoting their male family members, despite being unable to vote or run for magistrate
“Choose Marcus Caellius Marcellus: a good aedile, great games”
Other incentives for voting, entertainment
Shows how aediles had to fund games themselves
The aedile Marcus Alficius Paulus states “Anyone who wants to throw away excrement in this place is warned that it is not allowed. If anyone shall denounce this action, free citizens will pay a fine of […] denarii and slaves will be punished in their dwellings by […] lashes”
Shows social structure, slaves below free citizens
How laws were enacted
The power aediles have
