Gratuita Suffragia

These were votes purchased with bribery (Cic. Planc. 22.54). Among the Romans there were many people, mainly poor, who were always at the comitia and habitually sold their votes; those were called homines comitiales and often appeared as stock characters in comedy (cf. Plautus, Penulus 3.2.6).

Whenever the elections, however, were held without any gratuities distributed to the voters, this was a memorable event and the elections were known as comitia gratuita (Cic. Att. 4.15.18).

Among Cicero's letters, there is one addressed to him by his brother Quintus Tullius Cicero on the technique of electioneering. If you are a political candidate or considering to become one, read this letter to learn how to overcome certain disadvantages for your candidacy, how to build up support for your election, how to use personal connections, how to canvass for the popular vote, how to counteract bribery and lobbyists for your opponent, and how to discredit your opponent. (Hint: Some passages from this letter can be found in a capsa near the Rostra in the Forum Romanum.)

NB: For articles on this letter, see J. M. David et al., Aufstieg und Niedergang der Roemischen Welt 1. 3. 239-77.]