Expert: Maria - 7/24/2006

Question
I recall reading somewhere that ancient Roman civil servants were required to tend gardens in addition to their regular duties; howeverm, I cannot find that anywhere now.  Am I dreaming this?  If not, could you tell me why they di this?


Answer
Hello,

I think you refer to ancient Roman house servants, i.e. those who were privately employed to perform domestic services , not to civil servants, i.e. those who were publicly employed to perform services.
In Roman times in fact the servants (“Servi” in Latin) had certainly to tend gardens in addition to their regular duties in their master's house.

If on the contrary you refer not  to civil servants in general, but to  the magistrates of Roman Cursus Honorum ("succession of magistracies"), you are probably  thinking of   the Aediles (from the Latin 'aedes', "temple”, “building”), that were responsible for maintenance of public buildings and gardens, oversaw the organization and regulation of public festivals and games ( in Latin, “ludi”), had powers to enforce public order, took charge of Rome's water and food supplies , finally  served sometimes as judges in mercantile affairs.

Hope this helps.
Best,
Maria