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3 - Fitting in by Decree

Freed Slaves, Euergetism, and Local Politics*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 May 2024

By
Marc Kleijwegt
Edited by
Sinclair W. Bell ,
Dorian Borbonus  and
Rose MacLean
Sinclair W. Bell
Affiliation:
Northern Illinois University
Dorian Borbonus
Affiliation:
University of Dayton, Ohio
Rose MacLean
Affiliation:
University of California, Santa Barbara
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Summary

This chapter analyzes a number of municipal decrees and honorary inscriptions from Campania which can be dated to the second century CE. In these texts freed persons receive honors and privileges as a reward for their benefactions towards the community. The phenomenon itself is not surprising, but most acts of generosity by freed persons were done in their capacity as Augustales. In all cases discussed in this chapter the benefactions were done on a voluntary basis after negotiations with representatives of the city’s main political bodies. The most striking aspect of these texts is the language in which the benefactors are praised. They are heralded as role models whose behavior should be imitated by their fellow-citizens and their acts of generosity are praised as contributions to the political landscape. The benefactors provide a service to the community which corresponds to the standing of the city. While these texts may not prove that freed persons at the municipal level were consistently viewed in a positive light, a case can be made that at least some of them were regarded as valued members of the community. This evidence can then be used to broaden our perspective on the integration of freed persons in Roman society.

Keywords

benefactioncorrespondencedignityeuergetismgladiatorial showhonorific inscriptionsmunicipal eliteprivileges (or: rewards)public thanksservice
Type
Chapter
Information
Freed Persons in the Roman World
Status, Diversity, and Representation
 , pp. 86 - 118
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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