The aediles

The aedileship (aedilitas) was introduced in the middle of the fifth century BC, probably under Greek influence.^[279] Its original functions were associated with the supervision of temples and other religious sites (aedes sacra) and the care of records and public money.^[280] At first two aediles were elected as exclusively plebeian officials (aediles plebis) by the assembly of the plebeians (consilium plebis) to serve as assistants of the tribunes.^[281] Under the leges Liciniae Sextiae of 367 BC two additional aediles were introduced.

Although the curule aediles were deemed superior to their plebeian colleagues, they all shared similar duties. These included the supervision and maintenance of public roads and buildings, such as altars and temples (procuratio aedium sacrarum)^ the keeping of public records, the supervision of the supply of com and other essential goods to Rome (cura annonae) and the organisation of public games (ludi)*⁹ Moreover, as custodians of the city (curatores urbis), the aediles were entrusted with police duties and were responsible for the maintenance of order in the area of Rome. They had criminal jurisdiction over cases involving minor offences and could inflict punishment on those disobeying their orders (coercitio)?⁹ One of the aediles' earliest and most important functions was the supervision of activities in the market place.^[286] In their capacity as market officials they issued edicts (edicta) concerning the sale of goods and ensured that the prices charged were reasonable and that the measures and weights used complied with the prescribed standards. The edicts of the aediles and the limited civil jurisdiction which these magistrates exercised in the market place played an important part in the development of the Roman law of sale.