The forum & pompeii's government Flashcards
What was the Forum?
It was the religious, commercial, and civic centre for the whole town
What was situated in the central
area of the Forum?
The open area of the forum would have contained traders who would have set up stalls — also there were statues and
an impressive colonnade. This area was pedestrianized. Notices were placed at the base of statues. It was here that rich and poor Pompeiians, foreign visitors and traders came together
What temples can be found here?
Temple of Jupiter
Temple of Apollo
Temple of the Lares
Temple of Vespasian
Which buildings reflect commercial
and business interests here?
Macellum or covered market where Pompeiians could buy meat or fish.
Public weights and measures table or ‘mensa ponderaria’.
One of the most important industries in Pompeii was represented in the forum - the building of the Eumachia or the guildhall of the cloth trade
Which buildings reflect political interests here?
In the south end of the Forum were five buildings which formed the heart of the government of Pompeii, These consisted of three municipal offices for the town councillors and the Comitum, a polling station where the town’s elections were held
Which buildings reflect legal interests here?
The Basilica (this acted as both a law court and a business centre where lawyers congregated). At the far end of the building there was a raised platform, which was probably used for judges in trials or auctioneers in auctions.
Who were the Duovirs?
The two most important magistrates (officials) were the Duovirs, who made legal decisions, managed public money, and oversaw meetings of the town council. They were elected annually in the Comitum.
Who were the Aediles?
Below the Duovirs were two less important magistrates, the Aediles, who were responsible for less important matters
such as road maintenance, the supervision of markets, law and order, the water supply, upkeep of amphitheatre and theatre, and the upkeep of public temples and the baths. They were elected annually in the Comitum
Who were the Decurions?
The third municipal office was the Curia, the meeting place of the town council, which consisted of 100 members known
as Decurions.
Explain how elections operated?
Evidence suggests the annual elections were hard fought affairs. On many walls of buildings, painted slogans and graffiti advertised a particular candidate for election. Many of these adverts suggest that traders formed guilds (trade unions which backed candidates favorable to them
How did candidates get people to
vote for them?
They got slogans in support of them written on walls throughout the city.
They got their clients to campaign for them and accompany them around the city itself.
They made speeches in the central area of the Forum.
They paid for public buildings, and put on games in the amphitheatre where free bread was distributed and also theatre performances.
They paid for people to attend the baths in Pompeii.
Who could actually vote?
People voted the government in but as only free men could vote it was not really fair especially on the slaves and women.
Why did people graffiti on walls in Pompeii?
Besides persuading people to vote for them, graffiti shows people send messages of love to one another, to advertise their businesses (e.g. bakeries), and to advertise gladiator shows and theatre plays.
