Local government at Pompeii
The Pompeian’s government was a democratic system. Citizens voted in their members. There were four levels of government- Electoral assembly (comitium), town council (curia), chief magistrates (duumviri) and magistrates (aediles). These parties were elected in through different means and for different purposes.
The electoral assembly was voted in by the Roman citizens of Pompeii. Those elected were then in charge of electing the duumviri and aediles. The town council was made up prominent citizens with an honourable reputation and profession. They need be at least 25 years of age and reasonably wealthy. They were in control of all aspects of public life yet they had no military powers. Chief magistrate’s election was in control of the electoral council. They performed tasks such as conducting a census of the citizens every five years and replacing vacancies on the council. They presided over the town council and carried out their decisions. Magistrates were also elected in by the electoral council. They served for one year and were responsible for administrative purposes, supervision of the markets and upkeep of the town, e.g. maintenance of roads and paths, sewage and water systems. They were also expected to fund town games at their own expense.
Although self-governed, Pompeii and Herculaneum had some direct contact with Rome through the appointment of a town patron who would represent the town in the government of Rome. An incident in Pompeii in AD59 saw the roman government intervene in local matters when people’s lives were lost in a riot at a gladiatorial event. The emperor implemented a 10 year ban on gladiator combats. This instruction was later lifted. Statues, inscriptions and shrines throughout the towns are evidence of the loyalty and dedication they had to Rome and the imperial family.
The electoral assembly was voted in by the Roman citizens of Pompeii. Those elected were then in charge of electing the duumviri and aediles. The town council was made up prominent citizens with an honourable reputation and profession. They need be at least 25 years of age and reasonably wealthy. They were in control of all aspects of public life yet they had no military powers. Chief magistrate’s election was in control of the electoral council. They performed tasks such as conducting a census of the citizens every five years and replacing vacancies on the council. They presided over the town council and carried out their decisions. Magistrates were also elected in by the electoral council. They served for one year and were responsible for administrative purposes, supervision of the markets and upkeep of the town, e.g. maintenance of roads and paths, sewage and water systems. They were also expected to fund town games at their own expense.
Although self-governed, Pompeii and Herculaneum had some direct contact with Rome through the appointment of a town patron who would represent the town in the government of Rome. An incident in Pompeii in AD59 saw the roman government intervene in local matters when people’s lives were lost in a riot at a gladiatorial event. The emperor implemented a 10 year ban on gladiator combats. This instruction was later lifted. Statues, inscriptions and shrines throughout the towns are evidence of the loyalty and dedication they had to Rome and the imperial family.