A Study on the Alimenta System (Child Support System) in Ancient Rome

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K01050
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 03040:History of Europe and America-related
• Research Institution: Beppu University
• Principal Investigator: Iisaka Koji 別府大学, 文学部, 教授 (30455604)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: 古代ローマ / イタリア / 都市 / 官僚制 / 救貧制度 / ラテン碑文

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study demonstrates that the alimenta system (a child-rearing support program) in the Roman Empire served, from the perspective of imperial power, as a means for the emperor to present himself as a munificent and benevolent "father" to the citizens. It further shows that the dissemination of such an image was predicated on a governance system centered around the imperial road network. Additionally, the study highlights the necessity of considering the objectives of the municipalities that implemented the alimenta, confirming that one such objective was to strengthen their relationship with imperial power.

Free Research Field

西洋古代史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、アリメンタ制度（子弟養育制度）に視点を定め、ローマ帝国における皇帝権力と都市の関係について考察することで、ローマ帝国の支配の特質や統治構造の特徴の一端を明らかにした。また、現代の福祉制度とも比較される同制度の実施方法や目的について分析することで、地方エリートを担い手としたローマ帝国の都市社会の特質の把握にも貢献した。