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Pompeii as it was and is by Matania
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Pompeii as it was and is by Matania
The last election in Pompeii, 2000 years ago, before the eruption of Vesuvius, as envisaged by the Sphere special artist and expert in historical reconstruction, Fortunino Matania. This image was based on discoveries made during recent excavations in 1924, which revealed something about how electoral candidates made themselves known to electors. in the vicinity of the house inhabited by the candidate inscriptions were painted on the walls recommending him for election. Very often a man was warranted for by other citizens who had already gained a sufficient reputation to enable them to wield influence. In the picture here, there is a novelty in Roman election appeals; in the inscription found near the Termopolio (tavern) at No. 2 of the Via dell Abbondanza, inscription reads as follows: C.Lollium Fuscum II VIR V.A.S.P.P Asellinas Rogant Nec Sin Zmyrina. In English, this appeal would read: Asellina, supported by Zmyrina, recommends the candidature of C. Lollium Fuscum for duumvir, having in charge the streets, the temples and public religious festivals. Who these two women were is unknown, but it is interesting that they should wield such influence. Date: 1924
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Candidate Democracy Election Electioneering Elections Electoral Electors Excavations Fortunino Inscriptions Mar16 Matania Pompeii Reconstruction Romans Slogan Voting 1924
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative image of Pompeii as it was before the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, is a masterpiece by Fortunino Matania, an expert in historical reconstruction. Commissioned by Sphere magazine in 1924, this special artist's interpretation was based on recent archaeological discoveries that shed new light on the Roman electoral process. In the bustling streets of Pompeii, candidates vied for the support of the electorate. Inscriptions painted on the walls of buildings, such as the one near the Termopolio (tavern) at No. 2 of the Via dell'Abbondanza, were a common means of self-promotion. The inscription reads: C.Lollium Fuscum II VIR V.A.S.P.P. Asellinas Rogant Nec Sin Zmyrina. Translated to English, this appeal reads: Asellina, supported by Zmyrina, recommends the candidature of C. Lollium Fuscum for duumvir, having in charge the streets, the temples and public religious festivals. The novelty in this election appeal lies in the influential roles of the two women, Asellina and Zmyrina. Their identities remain a mystery, but their ability to sway voters underscores the importance of social networks and reputation in ancient Roman politics. The discovery of this inscription added a new dimension to our understanding of the electoral process in Pompeii, providing a fascinating glimpse into the past.
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