In the royal political era and the early Republican period, the forms of social organization showed complexity and diversification. By the mid-fifth century BC, social groups formed by Romans based on a common profession, belief, or region had become very common. During the long development process of the Republic, the number of voluntary associations has been increasing. These groups are often formed for different purposes, such as trade associations, religious organizations, social drinking clubs, funeral clubs, etc.
As an important part of Roman Empire city life, social groups are composed of free people or slaves who volunteer based on a common industry or specific religious worship of a certain god. In Rome, there are many different groups and guilds. Different professions can form their own industry associations, such as olive oil manufacturers, shoemakers, coachmen, timber merchants associations, etc.
In addition, there are administrative and priests groups, including priest assistants, junior administrators, clerks, and herald groups. These groups can be seen as microcosms of the larger society, they are hungry for joy and friendship.
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Each club has a management team, and the manager serves a one-year term. The conference hall is where everyone meets. In this way, the association provides an opportunity for those who are usually excluded from the official position of the state. They can become managers in the association and impose certain control measures on the members of the association.
At the same time, donors regularly donate money or other items to the community, just as some asylum seekers support specific cities. This kind of agreement gives nobles the opportunity to become donors, and societies can use support, support for donors, and asylums as a thank you. Societies not only help the urban poor to form their own social relationship layer, but also regulate the relationship between ordinary people and a few aristocratic groups.
During the imperial period, various groups of different types developed more prosperously than before. For people of different classes, these associations constituted an important feature of urban social life in the imperial period. At a higher level, the ancient sacrificial groups retained important functions and were responsible for multiple activities, and were later reorganized by Augustus .As part of religious and social reforms.
Those officials who serve the consuls include clerks, officials who punish people, copy clerks, and messengers. These people constitute an important class of upward mobility. They are relatively educated and ambitious, no doubt , Their various groups and their private banquets can strengthen their sense of status and social connections with each other. Augustus cleared up the hierarchy of these groups and tried to reorganize the regional communities in Rome so that they could organize festivals, competitions, and banquets in an orderly manner.
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Outside the city of Rome, Augustal has developed rapidly since the time of Augustus, but it is presumably supported by the emperor. The members of these groups are generally wealthy, mainly released slaves. They are selected to form groups and are responsible for rituals related to emperor worship. They need to prove that they are suitable candidates through public donations, and are expected to continue to show their public spirit in competitions, public banquets, statues and temple donations. In return, they can gain a recognized status in society, especially for the wealthy ex-slaves who cannot run for consul or hold other official positions, so they are more eager to gain recognition in this way.
"Although their main task is to be responsible for emperor worship-related ceremonies, this group provides the opportunity for wealthy freed slaves who cannot hold city official positions due to their origin and status. Austrian. Gustal often acts as a donor to fund urban entertainment activities and build public projects, and thus obtains various privileges almost equivalent to city officials and priests."
The Augustal organization is flourishing, and it seems to be in Naples. The city near shows special vitality. The area is famous for its economic prosperity, opening to Greek and Oriental culture, and advocating a leisure lifestyle. Therefore, it is easier for the released slaves to succeed here. There are also many opportunities.
This group can help the emperor consolidate his dominance through loyalty, dedication and protection; and in areas where turbulence often occurs,The existence of this organization can play a role in maintaining social and political stability.
There is also a group of young men. Young men’s organizations that have existed since the Republican era have inherited the form of youth groups in the Hellenistic era. These organizations may have been influenced by Greece and Etruscan from a very early time. However, in Italy, such organizations appear to show greater interest in hunting, horse riding, and military training relative to sports and fitness. Augustus developed these traditions while making them more standardized.
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In Rome city , young knights take the lead and are encouraged to ride horses regularly in Mars Square, form a cavalry squadron, and demonstrate riding in the so-called ancient horseback show . Young men’s groups are gradually being recognized by cities and the Romanized western provinces. These organizations provide opportunities for local aristocrats and wealthy heirs to train games together, allowing them to participate in many urban rituals and help them prepare Start a military or political career.
These young men’s groups are also encouraged to show their skills to the public. Teams from different towns will go hunting or gladiatorial competitions in theaters or large theaters.
Augustus and later emperors were skeptical and cautious about other organizations that were not strictly controlled by the government. Augustus seems to have reinstated Caesar's decree, that "dissolves guilds, except for those long-established guilds established to abide by the law."
Generally speaking, all guilds need to seek the approval of the veteran or emperor in order to continue to exist. Religious, social, or funeral associations are usually approved because these aspects are inseparable from daily life. Of course, there are many societies that have not been formally approved, but they still exist, especially in various provinces. Such groups will naturally have some problems. Tiberius worried about some foreign ceremonies, especially Jewish rituals and organizations.
in Italian towns and western provinces,Various guilds composed of craftsmen, slate merchants, wood workers, etc. can form fire brigades to put out the fire and solve the troubles of the poor in ancient cities. However, when the young Pliny asked Trajan whether the artisan guild could be established in Nicomeda after the fire broke out, Tural really replied very cautiously. He believed that such guild activities often disturb the province. Order, whenever people gather together, they will become a kind of political organization; he suggested encouraging property owners to take charge of fire-fighting equipment and temporarily summon fire-fighting personnel.
Lower-level mass organizations have various purposes, but even trade associations do not primarily consider the economic interests of their members. They are different from trade unions in modern society because their members are mainly employers, not employees. The central government and certain specific guilds have established limited links in key areas. The emperor and officials concerned about grain supply and bread prices made them deal with consignors, merchants, and bakers. They have to select candidates for long-term cooperation and provide them with special permits and preferential tax policies. Fire brigades composed of craftsmen or slate merchants can also receive tax incentives. Therefore, various groups can obtain a higher status in the area where they are located, and increase the common property through donations of wealthy members.
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