Aedile (Aedilis) was an official in the Roman Republic. The name of this office comes from the word “temple” (aedes). Aedile was the second office held by a Roman in his political career at the age of 36. This position was probably created in 494 BCE. when was the first time the two plebeian aediles (aediles plebei) were selected. They were elected by the people’s tribunes during tribute assemblies (comitia tributa) for a term of one year. Initially, their role was limited to helping the stands.
In 366 BCE two patrician aediles curules, dealing with the organization of the games, were introduced to the magistracy. They were elected by tribunal commissions for a one-year term. Curule aedile were initially considered to be of higher rank than their plebeian counterparts, which was marked by a purple trail on the toga border, which the plebeian ailerons did not have.
With time, plebeians were admitted to the curule edile, where the prestige differences disappeared. Apart from the prestigious aspect of the curule edile, in practice, the curule aediles had the same scope of activity. His further career depended on whether people liked him or not.
Under Caesar, the number of aediles has been increased to six by adding two aediles for the city’s food supply (aediles cereales).
Aedile was involved in: supervising order and security in the city, controlling public works, supplying the city with food, setting prices, organizing games at the request of the senate. Moreover, he collected taxes from Rome. He was also endowed with the right to punish various offences with fines. He performed all their functions honourably without receiving any remuneration. Aedile, while holding his office, had to use his funds.
