The humour of the examples Fll—13 plays on the fact that many notices identify individuals or groups as a candidate’s supporters. Individuals might include a candidate’s clients (Fl4; see also E8) or freedmen (F15). Other supporters might be fellow candidates or fellow magistrates (F16). Sometimes, an electoral notice appears on the facade of the house where the supporter lives or works (F17—19). F18 appeared to the left of the entrance to the inn run by the innkeeper Euxinus; for Euxinus and Amarantus, see further H9—11. The case of
Suedius Clemens, the emperor’s representative, whose name endorses the candidature of Marcus Epidius Sabinus, is an exceptional example of influence upon local politics wielded by an outsider (F110-114).
The most common type of group to recommend a candidate is a group of tradesmen. Their notices might be painted up outside their place of work, as is the case with the fullers’ recommendations on the facade of the fullery of Stephanus (I. vi.7) (F20). A wide variety of tradesmen participate in expressing their opinions, and incidentally provide valuable insight into Pompeii’s commercial life (see H51). We find bread-bakers, carpenters, chicken-keepers, dyers, fruiterers, fullers, goldsmiths, grape-pickers, mule-drivers, ointment sellers and porters. Recommendations are also made by inhabitants of a particular district in the town, or by a candidate’s neighbours (F21—25). Some candidates, however, boasted of the support of all citizens living in the town (both Pompeians and outsiders) or of the town council (F26—27, F111—113). Other unusual groups include worshippers of Isis (E7—8), spectators at the games (F28, on the external wall of the Large Palaestra, adjacent to the Amphitheatre) and fans of the actor Paris (D69). For an overview of the supporters of one particular candidate, see F29-72.
Individuals (F14—19)
World History
