Ius trium liberorum (“law of three children”) was a privilege introduced by Emperor Augustus (ruled 27 BCE – 14 CE) as part of his social and demographic reforms. Its aim was to increase the number of births in the Roman state, which was struggling with population decline after years of civil wars. It was established in 18 BCE as part of the reforms contained in the Lex Iulia de Maritandis Ordinibus and Lex Papia Poppaea laws.
People who had at least three children (or four in the case of freedmen) could enjoy a number of benefits, including:
- tax exemptions,
- greater possibilities of inheriting property,
- women were granted the right to independently manage their own property, which under normal circumstances required the supervision of a legal guardian (usually a male family member).
The reform was Augustus’ response to declining birth rates among Roman elites and a spreading disinterest in traditional family values. The emperor wanted to restore morality and social stability by promoting marriage and having children.
Although ius trium liberorum was intended to support demographic development, it was controversial. Many citizens perceived the reform as state interference in their private lives. Some tried to avoid their legal obligations by entering into sham marriages or falsifying the number of children.
The law became unenforceable in later periods of the empire, but it was an important example of early attempts to use the legal system to shape social structure. It is also a testimony to how deeply rooted the concern for heritage and continuity of society was in Roman culture.
