aedilisaedificium

Aedilisaedificium is a constructed term formed from the Latin words aedilis, meaning aedile, and aedificium, meaning building. The word is not attested in classical sources and is not part of standard Roman vocabulary; it is sometimes used in modern discussions to denote a building or class of buildings associated with the activities of the Roman aediles.

In ancient Rome, aediles were magistrates responsible for the maintenance and administration of urban infrastructure and public buildings. The curule and plebeian aediles oversaw public works, including repairs and the construction or restoration of edifices such as temples, basilicas, baths, markets, and other structures that formed the physical framework of the city. They managed related tasks like street improvements, sanitation, and the regulation of public spaces, often coordinating with contractors and allocating funds for projects. Religious duties, festivals, and the supervision of certain urban activities were also within their remit, linking public buildings to ceremonial life.

The term aedilisaedificium, when used, is typically a modern shorthand or scholarly convenience to refer to buildings deliberately associated with or commissioned under aedile oversight. It is not a standardized category in Roman archaeology or epigraphy, and specific attributes would vary by city, period, and the individual magistrate involved.

See also: Aedile; Aedificium; Public works in ancient Rome.