Latin Culture Flashcards
How important was politics for the Pompeians?
The Pompeians took local politics very seriously
When did the annual elections take place?
March
How did they publicise candidates?
Slogans appeared on the walls, groups of supporters held processions through the streets and the candidates spoke at public meetings in the forum.
How many officials were elected?
Every year, two pairs of officials were elected by the people.
What were the “duoviri”? What were they responsible for?
The duoviri were the senior pair of candidates and they were responsible for hearing evidence and giving judgment in the law court.
Who were the “aediles”? What were their duties?
The aediles were the other pair and they had the task of supervising the public markets, the police force, the baths, places of public entertainment, the water supply and sewers. It was their duty to see that the public services were efficiently run and the local taxes spent wisely.
Who else formed the town council?
100 leading citizens most of whom had already served as duoviri or aediles
Who elected the new members?
The council itself
How were the candidates dressed?
The candidates wore a toga, specially whitened with chalk, in order to be easily recognised.
Which word is connected with “candidatus” and why?
The word candidatus is connected with candidus which means ‘dazzling white’ because of their togas
What promises did they make? What would be expected of a successful candidate?
- Legal forms of persuasion included promises of games and entertainments if the candidate won. -In fact, it was expected that those who were elected would show their gratitude to the voters by putting on splendid shows in the theatre and amphitheatre at their own expense.
- A successful candidate would also be expected to contribute from his own wealth to the construction or repair of public buildings.
What were the families of the Holconii and Flacii known for?
The family of the Holconi, whose names often appear in the lists of Pompeian duoviri and aediles, were connected with the building of the large theatre, and another wealthy family, the Flacci, helped to pay for other civic buildings. The Flacci also had a reputation for putting on first-class entertainments.
Why was this tradition of public services encouraged?
This tradition of public service was encouraged by the emperors and was an important part of Roman public life.
What were the main requirements to be a candidate?
You had to be wealthy
What would a candidate get in return?
Although public service was unpaid and was not a means of making money, it gave a man a position of importance in his town. The wide seats in the front row of the theatre, which gave a close-up view of the chorus and actors, were reserved for him; he also had a special place close to the arena in the amphitheatre. In due course the town council might erect a statue to him and he would have his name inscribed on any building to whose construction or repair he had contributed.