Pompeii - Euergetism
From Wikireedia
a neologism to describe voluntary gift‐giving. Subjects of Greek and Roman cities saw such philanthropy as a cardinal virtue. Benefaction by wealthy citizens (including women) became a characteristic from the 3rd C. BC until late antiquity, and can be seen in thousands of honorific inscriptions memorializing donors. In Greece the origins of euergetism go back to the aristocratic ideal of liberality found in Homer and echoed by Aristotle. Aristotle saw munificence in office as a cynical device of rich oligarchs. Civic euergetism was a mixture of social display, patriotism, and political self‐interest. It was not charity, since its main beneficiary was the citizen body.
Building | Benefactor | Comments |
---|---|---|
Amphitheatre | Gaius Quinctius Valgus and Marcus Porcius Caius. Also Cuspius Pansa and his son (of the same name) | The first two financed the original building. They were quinquennial duumvirs. The latter two both held important civic offices, including those of duoviri and were honoured for having restored the amphitheatre after the earthquake of AD62 |
Central Baths | ? | ? |
Forum Baths | Marcus Nigidius Vaccula and Gnaenus Melissaeus Aper Marcus Staius Rufus | Vaccula donated large bronze brazier and three bronze benches. The later two donated marble basin |
Stabian Baths | Gaius Uulius and Publius Aninius | Inscriptions state they reconstructed the palaestra and the porticoes and created a laconicum for sweat baths and a destrictarium for cleansing the body. |
Suburban Baths | ? | ? |
Basilica | ? | ? |
Building of Eumachia | Eumachia, daughter of Lucius | She donated the chalcidicum, the crypta and the porticus with her own money and dedicated the same to Concordia Augusta and to Pietas |
Comitium | ? | ? |
Gladiators' Barracks | ? | ? |
Large Palaestra | Gaius Uulius and Publius Aninius | See Stabian Baths |
Large Theatre | Marcus Holconius Rufus and Marcus Holconius Celer | Many inscriptions found throughout the building testify to their benefaction |
Macellum | ? | ? |
Municipal Offices | ? | ? |
Odeion | Marcus Oius Verus | Donated marble paving for the Orchestra |
Samnite Palaestra | Vibius Vinicius | This was an Oscan inscription Benefactor used money which Vibius Adiranus had left for the good of Pompeii's youth |
Doric Temple | ? | Was built in the sixth century BC, when Pompeii was under the influence of the powerful Greek state of Cumae and recontructed by the Samnites. Probably abandoned in Roman times |
Temple of Apollo | ? | ? |
Temple of Asclepius | ? | ? |
Temple of Fortuna Augusta | Marcus Tullius | Inscription continues ..the son of Marcus, duumvir with judiciary authority for the third time, quinquennial duumvir, augur and military tribune by the choice of the people, erected this temple to Fortuna Augusta on his own ground and at his own expense |
Temple of Isis | Numerius Popidius Ampliatus | The father paid for the reconstruction after the eathquake. His four year old son was subsequently elected a councillor |
Temple of Jupiter | ? | ? |
Temple of the Lares Public | ? | ? |
Temple of Venus | ? | ? |
Temple of Vespasian | Mamia, daughter of Publius | This may in fact have been a temple to the worship on Augustus. Inscription continues built this on her own land at her expense |
Triangular Forum | Lucius Sepunius Sandilianus and Marcus Herennius Epidianus | Inscription continues with duumvirs with judiciary authority, caused the seat and sundial to be made at their own expense |
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