Euergetism and Roman Donations: Prestige, Memory, and Civic-Religious Practices in Ancient Roman Cities
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Euergetism, Ancient Rome, Roman Society, Donations, Charity, Prestige, Roman Gods, Civic Religious Festivals, Public Games, Religious Buildings
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the secrets of ancient Roman philanthropy and discover how donations shaped fabric of cities. Explore the fascinating world of euergetism, where wealthy citizens made generous gifts to gain prestige, honor their families, and leave a lasting legacy. From supporting vulnerable girls and boys to renovating sacred buildings, these acts of charity not only showcased the donors' wealth and status but also fostered a sense of community and civic duty. Dive into the intricate relationships between donors, citizens, and the Roman gods, and uncover the significance of pietas, fides, and reciprocity in these ancient transactions. Learn how these historical practices continue to inspire and inform our understanding of the power of giving today.
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[...] The act is undertaken in order to honor and preserve the memory of her son while being useful to the city. ILS 6818. Alimentary foundation at Sicca Veneria (Africa Proconsularis) The donation comes from a notable from Sicca Veneria: Publius Licinius Papirianus, a retired equestrian high official. The inscription is dated between 175 and 180. The benefactor bequeaths 1,300,000 sesterces in order to feed poor children while setting an interest rate. The donation is framed, intended for citizen and incola children from 3 years old until adulthood. 4-ILS 2933. [...]
[...] If 50,000 sesterces = the annual income, then the initial capital was colossal (several million sesterces) and the foundation affected 700-800 children. The annual interest serves to pay the pensions. One can consider that it acts in this way in order to promote its senatorial clientele. ILS 6278. Legacy to Tarracina (Latium) It originates from a wealthy donor whose name is unknown, the inscription would date from the period between Hadrian and the Severan era. She bequeaths a large sum (one million sesterces) for the construction and maintenance of a building of unknown origin. [...]
[...] We have seen that these donations also aim to maintain the memory of the benefactor, particularly through the construction of buildings such as temples or statues. These donations also aim to show the success of the donor, and thus wealthy citizens who have obtained an important position must make a donation that is representative of the place they hold within the city. Bibliography : Jacques François, Cities of the Western Roman Empire from the 1st century to the 6th century AD. [...]
[...] We follow the donations he undertakes at each stage of his municipal career (statues, spectacles?). The honorary sums required are high (20,000 sesterces each magistrature for pontificat). 5 - Letter of Pliny the Younger to Fabatus, grandfather of his wife (Epistulae 11) Here no direct inscription of donation, Pliny the Younger highlights the act of charity of a close relative (Fabatus), saluting the inauguration of a portico dedicated in memory of a son, followed by a new promise of financing for the embellishment of the city gates. [...]
[...] This shows that the very act of giving is an action that does not exclude the religious dimension. III- The gift in the service of memory Interview of a benefactor image . (prestige, ascension) In the first instance, we will see that these gifts also allow for the maintenance of a certain image, that of a benefactor, which enables him to establish his prestige. We can see this in the 6th inscription, where we can see that Quintus Voltedius Optatus Aurelianus, due to the honor he received, made a donation to the city of 200,000 sesterces, then 38,000 more for the public treasury, and organized a spectacle. [...]
