Ancient Rome Escorts’ Auctions
The Roman di
ctator Kaligula who lived in the first part of the first century and was known for his cruelty and depravity once issued an earth-shattering edict.
According to it all the plain citizens of Rome could participate in the auction bidding for female escorts who were wives and daughters of patricians, senators and other top officials. He had three aims to pursue: replenish the treasury, relieve people’s resentment and mock at his functionaries. Patricians were horrified but did not dare to contradict to their leader. Some paupers would sell their last shirt just to take revenge for the misdeeds of the nobility. Thus Koligula managed to discharge the tension in the society temporarily reconcile plebeians and the elite and to prevent the oncoming rebellion.