|
|
Article: Climbing the political ladder.(official positions in Roman Republic)
- Article from:
- Calliope
- Article date:
- October 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
A ROMAN CITIZEN WITH POLITICAL AMBITIONS HAD TO FOLLOW THE cursus honorum ("course of offices"), a ladder of official jobs of increasing responsibility. However, before a person could step up to the first rung, he usually had to complete a long period of military service, often from the age of 17 to 27. Then came the first office, the quaestorship. Quaestors were generally responsible for overseeing finances and the treasury.
Next was the aedileship. Aediles were responsible for the construction and maintenance of what are known as public works: roads, sewers, and government buildings. They were also in charge of public games, a responsibility used by many ...