What does aedileship mean?
Aedileship refers to the office of aedile, a magistracy in ancient Rome whose holders oversaw the city's daily fabric: public buildings, streets, markets, the grain supply, and — most famously — public games and festivals. There were both plebeian and curule aediles, the latter ranking higher and entitled to sit on the curule chair. The word denotes either the position itself or the term during which it was held, as in phrases like 'during his aedileship.' Because aediles financed entertainments from personal funds, the office became a costly but strategic stepping stone in a Roman political career, famously exploited by ambitious figures such as Julius Caesar. Today the term appears almost solely in classical scholarship, historical writing, and discussions of Roman institutions, giving it a distinctly formal, academic character.
nounThe office, rank, or term of service of an aedile, a magistrate in ancient Rome responsible for public works, games, markets, and the grain supply.
- The magistracy or official position of aedile in ancient Rome.
- The period or tenure during which someone served as an aedile.
"His aedileship was remembered chiefly for the lavish gladiatorial games he staged to win popular favour."
"Julius Caesar held the curule aedileship in 65 BC, spending lavishly on games and public banquets."
"The inscriptions record that he restored several temples during his aedileship."
Rarely pluralized; the plural would refer to multiple individuals' tenures of the office.
"The annals list the aedileships of several members of the family."
Winning the aedileship could bankrupt a Roman politician — aediles were expected to fund spectacular public games from their own pockets as an investment in future votes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of aedileship
Aedileship derives from Latin 'aedilis' (aedile), which in turn comes from 'aedes,' meaning a temple or building, reflecting the aediles' original charge over temples and public structures. The English suffix '-ship' forms nouns denoting office or condition, as in 'wardenship' or 'marshalship.' The term entered English through scholarly and historical writing on Roman antiquity. Cognates sharing the 'aedes' root include 'edifice' and 'edify,' which passed into English via Latin 'aedificare,' meaning to build.
Related word forms
How aedileship is actually used
A historical and scholarly term used almost exclusively in contexts concerning ancient Rome — classical history, archaeology, and Latin studies. It carries no everyday modern usage and is inherently formal in register.
Easily confused with aedileship
An aedile is the magistrate himself, while aedileship is the office or period during which he serves.