A duumvir is, in ancient Rome , a magistrate of a panel of two members, established to jointly exercise certain special functions, most often temporary.

Be distinguished:

• duumvirs the wheat production, loaded in Rome to distribute wheat to the people. this function was assumed permanently under the Empire by the prefect of the advertiser , making unnecessary the appointment of duumvirs wheat production.

• the duumvirs Dedication (duumvirs dedicandi IDEA): A panel of two judges were sometimes created in Rome, with a special mission to proceed with the dedication of a temple. This measure was taken in the case where the superior magistrates, consuls , censors and lenders , usually in charge of that office, were prevented from any cause. The most common reason was that we wanted the book to honor the dedication to the man who had promised to raise him the divinity of a sanctuary. But as a fairly long period of time necessarily elapsed between the promise and the completion of the building, the author's wish could not be supported and that is why he was given the title of duumvir. It was on this occasion the Head of State had power compared to that of the consul and escorted probably walked twelve lictors. It also happened that the author's wish was dead, and in this case, we chose a member of his family, his son, for example, or a colleague to replace him in surviving judicial office dedicans. The judiciary is no longer mentioned after the Republic : the last mention of this practice appears to -1 , when Augustus took on a consular power his two adoptive son, Gaius and Lucius , instructing them to dedicate the temple of Mars avenger.

• duumvirs the builders (EYID duumvirs locandae): When the vow had been ratified by the people's will and that the temple was decided it was necessary to determine the location and ensure that the implementation of building s'effectut in the best possible conditions. We created for this purpose two duumvirs, charged along with contractors, reviewing specifications, to predict costs, etc.. In a word, to make the award on behalf of the state. They are distinct from duumvirs EYID dedicandae and dedication can be entrusted to someone else. But sometimes we see the author's desire to commence construction under a decree of the senate , therefore the functions of duumvir EYID locandae. Sometimes it is the consul himself, or censor , or elected official , who fills that office. The judiciary disappears under the Empire.

• duumvirs the colonial city (duumvirs juridicundo), senior magistrates colonies or townships , who fulfilled the functions equivalent to those of the consuls of Rome and had the row.

• duumvirs the quinquennial (five-year duumvirs) duumvirs colonial and municipal, elected every five years, and then carrying out the functions of censor in their city (updated lists of citizens according to their rank).

• the duumvirs sacris faciundis: College priestly created under the Roman monarchy. This college was increased to ten members -367 ( decemvirs ), then to fifteen in the ^first century BC. AD : see Quindecemviri sacris faciundis.

See also

• Ancient Rome portal

Leave a Reply

Frequently Asked Questions