Political Influence in Ancient Pompeii: Understanding Election Dynamics
Citizens of Pompeii were influenced to vote for candidates based on personal qualities highlighted in graffiti messages, rather than promises or manifestos. Evidence preserved in Pompeii through these messages offers insight into historical political elections, shedding light on the importance of endorsements and public recommendations in candidate selection.
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Topic 4: Politics Chapter 2: What influenced citizens of Pompeii to vote for one candidate over another?
What evidence do you think has been preserved in Pompeii that we can use to learn about political elections? Fun fact: the word candidate comes from the ancient Romans. Candidatus is Latin for white robed . When a man was running for election, he would wear a white toga to symbolise the purity of his intentions.
Campaigning in Pompeii Unlike most modern politicians, candidates in Pompeii didn t make election promises or publish manifestos. Campaign messages focused on the personal qualities of the candidates. It was common for people to write recommendations on walls in public places (graffiti). What might make you pay attention to one graffiti message over another?
A day in the life of a Pompeiian voter You will each play the role of a member of the voting public in Pompeii. This means you will all be: male, over 25 and not a slave. Your card gives a little more information about your character, including your name. The messages you are about to see are genuine graffiti from the streets of Pompeii. As we read each, consider whether it makes you more or less likely to vote for the candidate mentioned. You can use your worksheet to record your ideas.
Marcus Vatia for aedile: elect him, I ask you. The Late Drinkers everywhere suggest. Florus with Fructus wrote this
The dyers request the election of Postumius Proculus as Aedile
I beg you to elect Helvius Sabinus aedile, worthy of public office, Maria asks this
Amarantus asks you to elect Postumius Proculus aedile. Papilio wrote this
Epidius with his household want and support Cn. Helvius Sabinus as aedile
Primus and his household are working for the election of Helvius Sabinus as Aedile
Titus Suedius Clemens, most upright judge, is working for the election of Marcus Epidius Sabinus, a worthy young man, as duumvir with judicial authority. He begs you to elect him Note: Who was Titus Suedius Clemens? What might the people of Pompeii think about him and his opinion?
All the fruit-sellers and Helvius Vestalis call for Holconius Priscus as duumvir for lawsuits
The inhabitants of the Campanian suburb ask for the election of Marcus Epidius Sabinus
All the deadbeats and Macerius ask for Vatia as aedile
Julius Polybius, his colleague, elects Postumius Proculus
I beg you to elect Marcus Epidius Sabinus duumvir, a most worthy young man. The honoured council wishes to elect him
The millers ask for and desire Helvius Sabinus as aedile, together with his neighbours
All the worshippers of Isiscall for Helvius Sabinus as aedile
Nymphodotus with Caprasia asks you to elect Cerrinius Vatiaaedile Note: Nymphodotus is a Greek name, which means that Nymphodotus was likely a freedman, or descended from a freedman.
A day in the life of a Pompeiian voter Based on the graffiti you have seen, which of the candidates will you vote for? Why?
Other Campaign Strategies Public Entertainment Bribery You read a sign that says Epidius Sabinus is putting on gladiator fights for the people of Pompeii. They will be free to attend he is paying for them out of his own pocket! A man you don t recognize approaches you on the street and offers you a day s wages if you will vote for Cerrinus Vatia. Do you take the money? Famous Ancestors Does this impact your opinion of him? On your way home from the amphitheatre, you walk past the Arch of Holconius Rufus (the grandfather of Holconius Priscus). Next to the arch is a statue of Holconius Rufus, commemorating his outstanding political career. Building Works Whilst at the amphitheatre watching the gladiator fights, you notice an inscription on the seat. It says: These seats were built with money donated by Postumius Proculus. What do you think? Does this factor in to your voting decision? Statue of Holconius Rufus
A day in the life of a Pompeiian voter Based on everything you ve seen, which candidates will you vote for?
Extension Task Idea Reason It s time to put your knowledge of Pompeian election campaigning into practice. Ask a wealthy member of the fruit sellers guild to write a message supporting Vatia on the wall of his house. The message will stand out on the wall of a wealthy man s house. It would be especially likely to convince other fruit sellers to vote for Vatia. Vatia has hired you to be his campaign manager! Devise a campaign strategy, aimed at winning votes for him. Each idea should be accompanied by a reason why you think the idea will work.
