Decurions (80-100) Flashcards
Election Process
In a law of Julius Ceasar, The lex Julia Muniapals ( 45BC), a specification established how decurions would be chosen. The decurions were not elected by towns people. Usually hose who joined the Aedile joined the council automatically. Decurions could be struck off the role if they were found to be disqualified because they had become bankrupt, had been convicted by a court or brought disgrace upon themselves. If there were vacancies either as a result of removal of the unworthy or because of the death of other members, new councilors could be chosen by the duumviri.
Elected, why? What did they offer?
To qualify one had to be over the age of 25 and have considerable wealth above the lure of bribes and influential.
Although there was a social hierarchy in these towns, there are indications of upward mobility. New families with wealth were able to rise in importance. However membership would only be open to freeborn. Ex slaves no matter how wealthy were ineligible. Wealthy owners of businesses and proprietors of landed estates and vineyards found their way on the council. Those whose clan had a distinguished office holding and who held the magistracy of the aedileship would have been the most likely to fill vacancies first, and may have been members automatically after their year of office. On occasion the children of wealthy men were enrolled as a special mark of honor or if they had used their money to benefit their fellow citizens.
Roles
Office holdings and public service.
Priviledges
The group had both large houses in the towns and agricultural holdings on the outskirts
Evidence
At Pompeii, an inscription reveals the 6 year old Numerius Popidius Celsinus, was enrolled in the ordo decurionum because of his familys generosity in rebuilding the temple foo Isis that had been destroyed in an earthquake, presumably from 62AD.
The council building, Curia was located in one of the buildings on the south side of the forum at Pompeii, close to the basilica.
