10-14-2012, 10:45 AM
I was looking through Birley’s biography of Marcus Aurelius and came across a passage where, to celebrate the betrothal of Lucius Verus and Lucilla, he arranged “for the support of poor children, on the lines of the institution created by Pius in memory of his wife and earlier imperial foundations.”
That led me to think about other “social welfare” programs the Roman Empire instituted. Off the top of my head, I can recall:
1) Food – free or subsidised foods, like the famous dole
2) Education – teachers on the public payroll, public libraries?
3) Health – doctors on the public payroll, subsidised gymnasia and baths, water supply?, funerary arrangements for the poor?
4) Child protection – the support of poor children, as mentioned above
Can anyone else think of any such programs? What about housing or help for the elderly? Were there any programs for these issues?
Does anyone know of the geographical extent or longevity of these institutions? Or how, when and why the imperial administration came to believe the state should be responsible for such things? Does anyone know of any studies or publications about this issue?
That led me to think about other “social welfare” programs the Roman Empire instituted. Off the top of my head, I can recall:
1) Food – free or subsidised foods, like the famous dole
2) Education – teachers on the public payroll, public libraries?
3) Health – doctors on the public payroll, subsidised gymnasia and baths, water supply?, funerary arrangements for the poor?
4) Child protection – the support of poor children, as mentioned above
Can anyone else think of any such programs? What about housing or help for the elderly? Were there any programs for these issues?
Does anyone know of the geographical extent or longevity of these institutions? Or how, when and why the imperial administration came to believe the state should be responsible for such things? Does anyone know of any studies or publications about this issue?
David J. Cord
www.davidcord.com
www.davidcord.com