Politics in Pompeii
Stage 11 Culture Notes
When? End of March
Key Terms
fautores
supporters
duoviri
(IIVIR) judged cases presented in
basilica; two elected annually
aediles
(aed.)
supervised the following; two
elected annually
a) public markets
d) places of entertainment
b) police
e) water
c) baths
f) sewer
Key Terms
candidatus
a candidate
wore a toga whitened with chalk
candidus = white
tituli
election slogans painted on walls and houses
painted at night to avoid crowds or
opposing supporters (fautores)
Key Terms
divisor
agent who distributed bribes for
candidate; made promises on behalf
of candidate
praefectus
vicini
comitium
special officer appointed by
Emperor to run a town in the
event of problems
a group of supporters who live near
the candidate
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 and
entertainment
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 theater
and amphitheater
name inscribed on building
statue
Other Facts
Caecilius was NOT a candidate
Pompeii could run its own affairs but
could come under Rome’s control if
it did not preserve law and order.
Voters: male citizens
Women could not cast a vote
but were active in local politics
Election Graffiti
Written on houses and business
Large red and black letters
ALL CAPS
Dots between letters
Painted by professional slogan
writers/ painters
Election Graffiti
Election Graffiti - abbreviations
OVF oro vos faciatis
I beg you to make
DPR dignus rei publicae
a man worthy of the republic
“worthy of holding office”
ROG rogat - asks
Campaign Slogans
C GAVIUM RUFUM AED OVF GRANIS ROG
(there is no U in Latin - so V = U; there is no
J in Latin – so J = I)
Gaius Gavium Rufus (for) Aedile
I beg you elect (him) Granius asks this
Campaign Slogans
M 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.