Roman Republic Voting (2nd Century BC) and Coins

The concept of voting is always related to a modern thought process, but history conveys a different tale. The Roman Republic provides many examples of many implementations in their governing process that can be related to modernization. This Empire was governed by the council of People called ''Senate''. The Senate consists of members from the influential and rich noble class.

                                      

Roman Denarius, 113-112 BC, depicting three citizens voting on a comitium, one voter receives the ballot from attendant below, another voter places ballot in a cista.

The Roman administration contained two Assemblies during the 2nd Century BC. The two Assemblies were called Assembly of the Centuries (soldiers), who elected magistrates who had imperium powers (consuls and praetors) and Assembly of the Tribes (nonmilitary civilian assembly), who elected magistrates, who did not exercise imperium. It did most of the legislating and sat as a court for serious public offences. The members consisted of adult male Roman citizens. They voted for a candidate and for the proposed legislation.

                     

Roman, AR Denarius, 113-112 BC, weight 3.8 gm, Obverse: Helmeted bust of Roma left, spear over shoulder, shield decorated with rider on horse, Reverse: Three citizens voting on a comitium.

 

This coin depicts the voting scene issued by the moneyer P. Licinius Nerva in 113-112 BC. The reverse depicts the voting scene where an attendant is handing over a small wooden tablet covered with wax on which the voter inscribed his vote eg: V for Uti Rogad: As you Propose (to support) A for Antiquo: I vote against (to oppose) or a candidate's name in an election. Later on, the voter drops the tablet into a tall ''Cista''. This process was time consuming, so voting was conducted in a large space of Campus Martius.

This concept of voting depicted on the coin explains the influence of this system on commoners at large. Women didn't hold any kind of political influence over the Roman administration.

                       

Ancient Greece, L. Cassius Longinus, 63 BC, AR Denarius, Rome, weight 4.0 gm, Obverse: Veiled head of Vesta facing left, calix to right, Reverse: LONGIN III V, voter standing left, dropping tablet inscribed V into cista (Crawford 413/1 Sydenham 935)  

                        

L.Cassius Longinus AR Denarius, Rome 63 BC, weight 3.9 gm Obverse: Head of Vesta to left, wearing veil and diadem, kylix behind, control mark in front, Reverse: Voter standing to left dropping tablet into Cista on right

The entire concept of voting we follow today is influenced and practiced since the bygone era.