Pompeii Imperialism
Although we often think of Pompeii as the typical Roman town, it was not always so. By looking at the public buildings and political records, one can see that the period surrounding the Roman colonization of Pompeii (89 BCE) brought about changes big and small. Although most of the Forum had been built prior to the colonization, political and architectural transitions are apparent. Before the Roman colonization of Pompeii in 89 BCE, there was certainly considerable Roman influence in the town. For example, the Pompeiian magisterial positions of aidilis and kvaisstar were very similar to the Roman positions of aedile and quaestor. Still, the Romans brought many changes to public life. They instituted their own system of government, as well
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Two of the largest buildings in the Forum were likely built after or just before the official colonization of Pompeii. The Basilica was the center of public life in Pompeii as it was in most of the Roman world. However, it is unclear when it was built- before or after the Roman colonization. If it was built after 89 BCE, it was a large addition to the town by the Romans. If it was built before the colonization, its architecture still exhibits the great influence of Rome on the surrounding cultures. The Eumachia building, the largest building in the Forum, was almost certainly built after Roman colonization. Its porticus, marble doorway (which may or may not be original to the building), and dedication to Concordia Augustus and Pietas show that the building may have been a show of dedication to the Roman Empire and its emperor Augustus by Eumachia and her family. Additionally, the city was organized into wards and social hierarchies in reflection of the Augustan restructuring of the city of Rome.
Finally, wealthy politicians built facilities both inside and outside of the Forum to gain popularity. Many of the prominent buildings that we can see today in Pompeii were built by these people. Because most prominent Pompeians were replaced by the colonists, many of these commissioned building were gifts from the Roman settlers intended to gain favor for themselves in local elections. Despite this, many major structures from the pre-Roman city did survive, such as the marketplaces in the Macellum and the Forum Holitorium, and the voting building, the
Two of the largest buildings in the Forum were likely built after or just before the official colonization of Pompeii. The Basilica was the center of public life in Pompeii as it was in most of the Roman world. However, it is unclear when it was built- before or after the Roman colonization. If it was built after 89 BCE, it was a large addition to the town by the Romans. If it was built before the colonization, its architecture still exhibits the great influence of Rome on the surrounding cultures. The Eumachia building, the largest building in the Forum, was almost certainly built after Roman colonization. Its porticus, marble doorway (which may or may not be original to the building), and dedication to Concordia Augustus and Pietas show that the building may have been a show of dedication to the Roman Empire and its emperor Augustus by Eumachia and her family. Additionally, the city was organized into wards and social hierarchies in reflection of the Augustan restructuring of the city of Rome.
Finally, wealthy politicians built facilities both inside and outside of the Forum to gain popularity. Many of the prominent buildings that we can see today in Pompeii were built by these people. Because most prominent Pompeians were replaced by the colonists, many of these commissioned building were gifts from the Roman settlers intended to gain favor for themselves in local elections. Despite this, many major structures from the pre-Roman city did survive, such as the marketplaces in the Macellum and the Forum Holitorium, and the voting building, the