11politics in pompeii

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.