8. Political and religious power in Barcino

8. Poder polític i religiós a Bàrcino

The public cult of Emperor Augustus was harnessed as a political tool to organise the various peoples subjugated by Rome. This cult was associated with magistracies and offices which came with the prospect of promotion for the inhabitants of the colony. Free citizens could become flamens while the office of sevir was reserved for freedmen, both posts with priestly duties.

Access to the magistracies and offices governing the city (duumviri and aedile) was gained by a system of popular elections. Securing sufficient support to be chosen involved significant personal outlay and this forged a bond between politics and business.