aediles

aediles, at Rome, originally two plebeian magistrates, named from the aedes or temple of Ceres, where they superintended the cult, one which was particularly important to the plebs. Their administration was soon extended to public buildings in general and especially to the archives. In 367 BC their number was increased to four by the addition of two curule aediles elected from the patricians. The office of aedile was elective and annual, not an essential part of the cursus honorum but the lowliest office to permit its holder to enter the senate.