Local Government

Pompeii & Herculaneum were self-governing towns. They still had to answer to the decrees from Rome although the emperor rarely interfered. From graffiti throughout the city, we know political activity was strong leading up to elections in march each year. To be elected for any position you must have completed 10 years of military service.

Decuriones

Decuriones, or ‘leaders’ of the community, formed the ordo decurionum which was the city council and consisted of 100 members who held a lifetime membership. Decuriones were honourable and wealthy freeborn male citizens whose primary responsibility was to debate and vote on administrative matters such as city finance, religious authority and public business.

80-100 wealthy, freeborn citizens aged over 25; further
members could be appointed by the duumviri.
Settled community debts from their private funds; dealt with
city finances, religious matters and public business. All of these
decisions were recorded in the public archives.
They were members for life; actors and innkeepers were
excluded from membership.

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Magistrates

There were four magistrates who were elected annually at Pompeii and Herculaneum. These four magistrates held this political position for one year and were divided into two types, Duoviri and Aediles. The Duoviri were considered the senior magistrates whose primary responsibilities were to administer the electoral rolls, conduct the census and try civil and criminal cases. The Aediles were viewed as junior magistrates, who were responsible for the administration of sacred and public buildings, the administration of public works, sponsorship of spectacles and the maintenance of public order.

Two co-Mayors

(Duumviri/Duoviri)

Served for just one year; oversaw justice and were responsible for
criminal and civil cases such as murder, robberies, misuse of
public funds and inappropriate behaviour during elections.
Administered the electoral rolls and organised the census every 5
years.
Presided over meetings of the ordo decurionum; supervised
public money and public works and also provided public games.
Gave name to the year and collected fines.

Two Aediles

Also served for one year; they took care of the streets, public buildings, temples, markets, water and sanitation.
Aediles were responsible for the day-to-day running of the town, including maintaining public order.
Issues licences and permits; also organised and payed for public games.

Comitium

The comitium or the people’s assembly comprised all male citizens over the age of 25, including freedmen. The primary role of the comitium was to elect the city’s magistrates and to vote on proposals made by the council.

Also known as the People’s Assembly; consisted of all eligible male citizens over the age of 25.
They voted on all proposals by the Council; they also elected the duumviri and aediles annually.