Curiosities of ancient Rome (Law)

Together with the introduction in 212 CE the so-called edict of Caracalla (Constitutio Antoniniana) all free Romans (apart from peregrini dedicti – free foreigners) have been granted civil rights. It seemed that the emperor from that moment ruled over one and a common category of subjects. However, this is not true.

Contubernium in Roman law was a permanent and legally permissible relationship between slaves or a free person and a slave. Contubernium was a purely factual relationship with no legal effect. Children from this relationship became the property of the owner of a slave.

Candidates for civil servants often organized spectacular shows prior to the elections in order to win the favor of the crowds. In the year 63 BCE the Senate issued an act, on the initiative of the consul Marcus Tullius Cicero – lex Tullia, in which he forbade standing for election to anyone who, during the preceding 2 years, would organize games. In addition, for such an act he was punished with 10 years of exile.

In ancient Rome, as a physical person was considered a person from the moment of a birth, but only when he came into the world alive and his body exhibited the characteristics of naturalness. The sign of a living child was a shout for the Romans; for Sabinian, any signs of life.