---
title: Aedile
author: Donald L. Wasson
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Aedile/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-06-05
---
# Aedile
_Authored by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/)_
The *aedile* was an official of the [Roman Republic](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Republic/) who maintained [Roman roads](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/758/roman-roads/), supervised the grain and water supply, and provided the [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/)'s citizens with games among other duties. Initially, they were plebeian and elected annually by the *Concilium Plebis* or Council of Plebs, but from 367 BCE, two *aedile curules* of the [patrician](https://www.worldhistory.org/Patrician/) class joined their plebeian colleagues. The role evolved and expanded during the [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/) Republic, and the office of *aedile* was often seen as an integral part of the *cursus honorum*, one step on the path to become a [consul](https://www.worldhistory.org/Consul/). With [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) assuming many duties of the *aedile* himself and the rise of the [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/), the office disappeared.
### Evolution of the Role
The Roman people emerged from the rule of the [Etruscan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Etruscan_Civilization/) kings with an innovative form of government: a republic. The aristocratic families - the [patricians](https://www.worldhistory.org/Patrician/) - created a three-branch system that contained a centuriate assembly, a Senate, and two co-executives called consuls. These consuls were elected by the assembly, and, while only serving a one-year term, had the power of a king. However, the growth of the city and the burden of administering the newly acquired provinces along the [Mediterranean](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/mediterranean/) Sea called for additional magistrates to assume some of the powers of the consul. Among these new officials were the *[praetor](https://www.worldhistory.org/praetor/)* who dispensed justice, the *[quaestor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Quaestor/)* who handled financial affairs, and the *aedile* who (among other duties) maintained Roman roads, supervised the grain and water supply, and provided the city's citizens with games.
While some evidence indicates the office existed under the [Etruscans](https://www.worldhistory.org/Etruscan_Civilization/) as a caretaker of records and public monies, the *aediles* - initially two were chosen from the plebeian class - surfaced during the Republic as subordinate officers to the tribunes of the [plebeians](https://www.worldhistory.org/Plebeians/), supervising the temples and plebeian cults, [Ceres](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ceres/) and [Diana](https://www.worldhistory.org/diana/) in particular. They were elected annually by the *Concilium Plebis* or Council of Plebs. In 367 BCE two *aedile curules* were created and, unlike their fellow plebeian *aediles*, they came from the patrician class and were elected annually by the centuriate assembly. These latter aediles eventually became magistrates and part of the *cursus honorum*. The role of the *aedile* was expanded to include maintaining the *cura urbis* or fabric of the city (the roads, public buildings and police force) and the *cura annonae* or city's grain supply. And, if the need arose, he would assume some of the duties of the *[censor](https://www.worldhistory.org/censor/)*. But most importantly, they were placed in charge of the many annual festivals and public games. Later, the office of *aedile curules* became available to plebeians, and after the admission of plebeians to the rank, it was held alternately by both patricians and plebeians.
Although not essential, the office of *aedile* was often seen as an integral part of the “Path of Honors”, one step on the path to become a consul. An individual might begin his climb as a military [tribune](https://www.worldhistory.org/Tribune/), eventually rising to the office of *quaestor*. If he were a plebeian, he had the option of becoming either a tribune of the plebs or an *aedile*. However, if he were a patrician, his only option was to become an *aedile*. From there, if he was successful and impressed the appropriate people as an *aedile*, he could become a *praetor*, the only other officer beside the consul with imperium powers. Lastly, if he had been successful and, like some, bribed the right individuals, he would become a consul, the pinnacle of a politician's career.
While an ambitious *aedile* received the usual government allowance to perform his duties, it was not always sufficient, especially if he planned on becoming a consul. Often, he would have to use personal money or borrow heavily to curry favor with those in the assembly and [Roman Senate](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Senate/), staging elaborate gladiatorial contests and public games. If successful, he would advance; if not, he was politically ruined.
### [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/) as *Aedile*
One of the most successful of the *aedile curules* was the future dictator and hero of the Gallic Wars: the 35-year-old [Julius](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Julius/) [Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/caesar/). Few in the Roman Republic could match his determination and ambition to achieve the consulship. Since he came from a patrician family, he could not become a tribune of the plebs and therefore set his sights on the office of the *aedile*. In 65 BCE, as one of the *aediles*, he handled everything from road repairs, [temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) maintenance, urban crime, and distribution of grain and water, but his best service to [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) came through his staging of public games.
[  Posthumous bust of Caesar Carole Raddato (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/2514/posthumous-bust-of-caesar/ "Posthumous bust of Caesar")Borrowing money and placing himself deeper in debt, he organized a massive September celebration of the Roman [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) [Jupiter](https://www.worldhistory.org/jupiter/), much to the chagrin of his fellow *aedile*, Marcus Bibulus. He decorated the Forum and Capitoline Hill (the location of Jupiter's temple), held public banquets, wild beast contests, elaborate stage productions, and extravagant gladiatorial competitions; he even had 320 pairs of gladiators shipped to Rome. His opposition in the Senate, the more conservative *optimates*, denounced him. In his *The Twelve Caesars* [Suetonius](https://www.worldhistory.org/Suetonius/) wrote, "Caesar … had collected so immense a troop of combatants that his terrified political opponents rushed a bill through the House, limiting the number of gladiators that anyone might keep in Rome…" Despite what those in the Senate felt, the public loved him; he would soon earn the position of *praetor* and later that of a consul.
Unfortunately, the office of the *aedile*, like that of the consul, disappeared under the rule of Emperor Augustus and the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/). Augustus assumed many of the duties of the *aedile* himself - many considered him a micro-manager - or assigned them to others. However, while the office existed in the Republic, it allowed Rome to run smoothly. The roads were kept up, the citizenry was fed, and everyone was kept entertained.
#### Editorial Review
This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).
## Bibliography
- [Baker, S. *Ancient Rome.* BBC Books, 2007.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1846072840/)
- [Boak, A.E.R. *A History of Rome to A.D. 565.* The Macmillan Company, 1965.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B0000CMMTW/)
- [Freeman, P. *Julius Caesar.* Simon & Schuster, 2009.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0743289544/)
- [Gwynn, D.M. *The Roman Republic.* Oxford University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0199595119/)
- [Suetonius. *The Twelve Caesars.* Penguin Classics, 1957.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0140440720/)
## About the Author
Donald has taught Ancient, Medieval and U.S. History at Lincoln College (Normal, Illinois)and has always been and will always be a student of history, ever since learning about Alexander the Great. He is eager to pass knowledge on to his students.
## Timeline
- **367 BCE**: Position of [aedile](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aedile/) curule added for the [patricians](https://www.worldhistory.org/Patrician/) of [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/).
- **65 BCE**: [Julius Caesar](https://www.worldhistory.org/Julius_Caesar/) becomes [aedile](https://www.worldhistory.org/Aedile/) curule in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/).
## Cite This Work
### APA
Wasson, D. L. (2014, July 01). Aedile. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Wasson, Donald L.. "Aedile." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 01, 2014. .
### MLA
Wasson, Donald L.. "Aedile." *World History Encyclopedia*, 01 Jul 2014, .
## License & Copyright
Submitted by [Donald L. Wasson](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/DWasson/ "User Page: Donald L. Wasson"), published on 01 July 2014. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.