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ancient Roman officials. The aediles plebeii, established in 494 B.C., were two assistants to the people’s tribunes. The two aediles cumies, introduced in 367 (or 366) B.C., were elected by the comitia tributa for one year.

The aediles conducted the distribution of bread to the citizens; supervised the water supply, the operation of the markets, the cleanliness of the city, and the building and maintenance of the temples; and organized games at their own expense. The two aediles ceriales were introduced by Julius Caesar in 44 B.C. to distribute bread; they were also responsible for conducting public games in the circus.

By the fourth century A.D., the office of aedile had ceased to exist.
