AEDILE X2

Question 1

Election Process

Answer 1

They were elected March each year by the populous, the roman citizens of their town, in a voting assembly, comitia.

Question 2

Elected, why? What did they offer?

Answer 2

During their year of office they provided the people with public games and paid much of the cost themselves.

Question 3

Roles

Answer 3

They were responsible for much of day-to-day administration of the town. They supervised markets and took care of the temples and streets. They granted permits to stall holders near the amphitheater and to others who occupies the land. They granted permits to erect altars and to make votive offerings displayed in temples.

Question 4

Priviledges

Answer 4

It was usual in town for aediles to have had staff of attendance a secretary (scriba), a diviner (hauspex), a flute player (tibicen) and a herald (praecox). The cost of staff for the two aediles was 3,000 sesterces per year. Four slaves would have been assigned to them and they would have acted like the police in town. The slaves proceeded tha aediles carrying torches. While in office Aediles wore a toga bordered purple, the toga praetexta that signaled their rank. They had special places assigned to them in theatres and at the game.

Question 5

Evidence

Answer 5

Grafitti: “ The worshippers of Isis ask you to elect CN Helvius as Aedile”
“The inhabitants of the salt works district recommend M Cenzus as Aedile”
“The guild of Muleteers unanimously recommend C Cuspius Pansa as Aedile”
“the Gladiatorial troop of A Setius Certus, Aedile, will fight at Pompeii on May 31st. Hunt and awnings. Good luck to all the Neronian Shows.”