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Overview of the Aedile
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Length of service:
Officer holders: Minimum age: Duty: |
1 year
4-6 36 Overseeing public works and organising celebrations and games |
Origins of the aedile
The aedile was split into two main offices: plebeian aedile and curule aedile. The office of plebeian aedile could only be held by a plebeian whereas both plebeians and patricians could be elected into the office of curule aedile. Most men in Rome who were climbing Rome's political ladder, the curus honorum, would serve as an aedile after their quaestorship. While not a necessary stage of the cursus honorum it was a perfect opportunity for an individual to increase their popularity through public celebrations and games.
The two types of aedile were elected in different ways. The Plebeian Council (headed by the Plebeian Tribune) was responsible for electing the plebeian aedile, whereas the Tribal Assembly (headed by a consul) elected the curule aedile. While they initially looked after different aspects of their office, eventually plebeian and curule aediles covered the same duties, but they would decide between them how to allocate responsibilities
Aediles had a minimum age limit of 35 imposed in 180 BC and would start their term in January.
The two types of aedile were elected in different ways. The Plebeian Council (headed by the Plebeian Tribune) was responsible for electing the plebeian aedile, whereas the Tribal Assembly (headed by a consul) elected the curule aedile. While they initially looked after different aspects of their office, eventually plebeian and curule aediles covered the same duties, but they would decide between them how to allocate responsibilities
Aediles had a minimum age limit of 35 imposed in 180 BC and would start their term in January.
Duties of the aedile
The duty of an aedile was essentially to oversee all aspects of public projects. Cicero divided their role up into three categories of care, the city, provisions and games. In terms of their civic duties they were responsible for overseeing all aspects of the construction and maintenance of temples, roads, baths, aqueducts and sewers, among other things. They also had the power to punish people who did not comply with Rome's moral code, such as gamblers and those who hoarded too many provisions for themselves. For care of provisions aediles were responsible for checking all imports and exports of goods, ensuring there was no corruption at play. Finally, the most appealing part of the office was the care of games. For this duty aediles oversaw and organised public games, festivals and celebrations. They could also be commissioned to organise funerals of high profile private citizens.
If successful, this position could make an individual very popular with the people of Rome, increasing their chances that they would ascend further up the cursus honorum. Eventually under the rule of Julius Caesar aediles called ceriales would also be in charge of the grain supply to Rome from provinces like Egypt and Africa and making sure it was distributed.
If successful, this position could make an individual very popular with the people of Rome, increasing their chances that they would ascend further up the cursus honorum. Eventually under the rule of Julius Caesar aediles called ceriales would also be in charge of the grain supply to Rome from provinces like Egypt and Africa and making sure it was distributed.
Post-Republic
After the fall of the Roman Republic the office of the aedile lost much of its power. When Augustus became emperor he assumed the role of maintenance and construction of temples and the praetor took on the responsibility of organising public games and celebrations.
As the power of the aedile waned, it became a far less sought after office as there was virtually no benefit to be had. The only powers remaining for an aedile was to regulate baths and brothels, which was not a favourable task. Towards the end of the Roman Empire the position was dissolved entirely after being made obsolete.
As the power of the aedile waned, it became a far less sought after office as there was virtually no benefit to be had. The only powers remaining for an aedile was to regulate baths and brothels, which was not a favourable task. Towards the end of the Roman Empire the position was dissolved entirely after being made obsolete.