Congiary

A congiary ( Latin: donation, gift, plural: congiary ) was originally an imperial grain donation in ancient Rome .

The name is derived from the unit of measurement congius (3.20 liters) and was initially a payment in kind and later a monetary contribution by the emperor and wealthy Romans to the people, usually on the occasion of festive events. It was a voluntary service to which the people had no legal right, but was not linked to the hope or the right to anything in return.

The Arch of Constantine contains a relief showing the giving of donations by Emperor Constantine.
Many ancient Roman coins are also dedicated to this topic, which is why the Congiarium was sometimes called Liberalitas (= willingness to give without being obliged to do so).

You may be the Cocagna to the custom of Congiarien due.

literature

• Michael Rostovtzeff : Congiarium. In: Paulys Realencyclopadie der classischen Antiquity Science (RE). Volume IV, 1, Stuttgart 1900, Col. 875-880.