11politics in pompeii
TRANSCRIPT
Politics in Pompeii
Stage 11 Culture Notes
When? End of March
Key Terms
fautores supporters
duoviri (IIVIR) judged cases presented inbasilica; two elected annually
aediles (aed.) supervised the following; twoelected annually
a) public markets
b) police
c) baths
d) places of entertainment
e) water
f) sewer
Key Terms
candidatus
a candidate
wore a toga whitened with chalk
candidus = white
titulielection slogans painted on walls and houses
painted at night to avoid crowds or opposing supporters (fautores)
Key Terms
divisor agent who distributed bribes forcandidate; made promises on behalfof candidate
praefectus special officer appointed by Emperor to run a town in theevent of problems
vicini a group of supporters who live nearthe candidate
comitium the permanent voting hall in foro
Town Council
populus
100 leading citizens – free males
new members chosen by council not elected by people
Bribery
Financial bribery was illegal but widely practiced.Legal forms of bribery included games andentertainment
Requirements of Candidates
25 years old or older
resident of city or surrounding area
wealthy – no salaries for holding office
high morals and strong character
duovir must be an aedile before becoming duovir
Requirements
Candidates would have to be wealthy because they were expected to :
put on a splendid spectaculum in the theater pay for construction or repairs of public
buildings.
No salary for public office
PERKS
honor and fame
preferred seating in the theaterand amphitheater
name inscribed on building
statue
Other Facts
Caecilius was NOT a candidate
Pompeii could run its own affairs butcould come under Rome’s control if it did not preserve law and order.
Voters: male citizensWomen could not cast a votebut were active in local politics
Election Graffiti
Written on houses and business
Large red and black letters
Painted by professional sloganwriters/ painters
ALL CAPS
Dots between letters
Election Graffiti
Election Graffiti - abbreviations
OVF oro vos faciatis I beg you to make
DPR dignus rei publicaea man worthy of the republic“worthy of holding office”
ROGROG rogat - asks
Campaign Slogans
C GAVIUM RUFUM AED OVF GRANIS ROG
(there is no U in Latin - so V = U; there is noJ in Latin – so J = I)
Gaius Gavium Rufus (for) Aedile I beg you elect (him) Granius asks this
Campaign Slogans
M Holconium Priscum IIvirM Holconium Priscum IIvir
Marcus Holconius Priscus for duovir
Another Slogan
C IVLIVM POLYBIVM A E D O V F. PANEM BONVM FERT.
I ask you to elect Gaius Iulius Polybius.He bakes good bread.
Another Slogan
C GAVIVM IIVIR O V F D R P VESONIVS PRIMVS ROG.
I ask you to elect Gaius Gavius Rufus duovir. He is worthy of the Republic.Vesonius Primus asks this.
Two more
M CERRINUM VATIAM AED. O.V.F. SERIBIBI UNIVERSI ROGANT. SCR.
FLORUS CUM FRUCTO.
All the late-night drinkers ask you to vote for Marcus Cerrinus Vatia for aedile. Florus and Fructus wrote this.
VATIAM AED. FURUNCULI ROG.
The petty thieves support Vatia for aedile.
CN HELVIUM SABINUM AEDILEM ALIARI ROGANT.
The garlic dealers ask that you support Gnaeus Hevius Sabinus for aedile.