relationship with the plebs

    Cards (7)

    • Grain and food 
      -2/3 of plebs were recipients of the grain dole 
      -revised the number of recipients from 250k to 200k
      -built granaries 
      -improved insurance of grain ships so they could sail in bad weather 
      -res gestae = provided grain at my own cost and by my own efforts 
    • Largesse (donations of money)
      -used his personal wealth to donate largesse to the plebs several times
      -res gestae = several occasions e.g. paid out 400 sesterces as a largesse to each man 
    • Games (plebs)
      -gladiatorial games, beast hunts etc
      -successful at entertaining the masses 
      -Suetonius = no magistrate ever provided so many 
    • Work
      -extensive public work schemes which helped provide jobs 
      -res gestae 82 temples restored 
    • Libertini (freed men)
      -set limits on the number of slaves who could receive manumission (set free)
      -placed a tax on manumission to limit numbers 
    • safety
      -height restriction on building to reduce impact of fires and collapsing houses 
      -introduced vigiles in 6AD whose job was to fight fires and patrol the streets
      -bannned collegias to reduce gang violence 
    • political power
      -reduced power of plebeian assembly over time and their right to influence big decision making 
      -made senate more powerful by allowing senatus consultam to become law