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4.1

4.1.1 Programmata
4.1.2 Titus Suedius Clemens

4.1.1 Programmata

Historical background

Painted on walls all over Pompeii are more than 2,500 painted notices supporting candidates in Pompeii’s local elections. These are called programmata and are found on the outside walls of houses and public buildings, along major roads and at busy junctions, inside buildings, and even on tombs! The candidate’s name was usually written in larger lettering than the rest of the message. Programmata were painted by professionals on behalf of a range of different people in society; the supporter(s) who commissioned the ‘poster’ are usually identified in the body of the message. There are examples of programmata created on behalf of men, women and even slaves; however only the free men could actually vote!

Evidence

Programmata can give an insight into what the roles in local government were and what they were responsible for. In Pompeii the local population elected local magistrates called duumvirs and aediles.

The examples of programmata given here show that the duumviri had some responsibility for the judicial system and city finances, whilst aediles looked after public and sacred buildings, city streets and public entertainment.

4.1.2 Titus Suedius Clemens

Historical background

The Roman Empire was one of the largest empires in history with territories across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Pompeii became a Roman colony in 80 BC. The Emperor was in ultimate political control of the Empire. During the time of our story this was Emperor Nero, who reigned from AD 54 to 68. Whilst Pompeians may have voted for their local magistrates, they were still subject to the central authority in Rome.

Evidence

In AD 69 the Emperor Vespasian took control of the Empire after a period of unrest, and strengthening the Empire’s financial position was a priority. He dispatched an agent, Titus Suedius Clemens, to Pompeii to survey public land which had been taken over by private individuals and restore them to the Pompeian state (and therefore the Empire). Multiple copies of an inscription documenting Suedius Clemen’s work were set up as boundary markers between land owned by the town of Pompeii, and the surrounding countryside.

The actions of Suedius Clemens on behalf of Vespasian illustrate how the central Roman government could step in on a local level with the authority of the Emperor.

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