What rights were available to citizens of Ancient Rome?
Q: What rights were available to citizens of Ancient Rome?
A: Citizens of Ancient Rome had various legal rights, including the right to vote in Roman assemblies (ius suffragiorum), the right to have a lawful marriage with a Roman citizen according to Roman principles (ius conubii), the right to preserve one's level of citizenship upon relocation (ius migrationis), and immunity from some taxes and other legal obligations (right of immunity). They also had the right to sue in courts, the right to be tried by a proper court, and the right to defend themselves.
Q: How did these rights vary over time?
A: The rights available to individual citizens of Rome varied over time, according to their place of origin and their service to the state. They also varied under Roman law according to the classification of the individual within the state. Various legal classes were defined by different combinations of legal rights that each class enjoyed.
Q: Who was not eligible for citizenship in Ancient Rome?
A: Slaves were not eligible for citizenship in Ancient Rome as they were considered property rather than persons under Roman law. Client state citizens and allies (socii) could receive limited forms of Roman citizenship such as Latin Right but they could not vote or be elected in Roman elections.
Q: What is ius gentium?
A: Ius gentium is a concept developed in 3rd century BC which recognized international scope of Roman affairs, and need for Roman law when dealing with situations between Romans and foreign persons. It was based on highly developed commercial laws from Greek city-states and other maritime powers, providing human rights rather than attached only those with citizenship status.
Q: What garment was characteristic for rich male citizens?
A: Rich male citizens wore a garment called "toga", which was characteristic for them at that time. Statues depicting emperors often showed them wearing this garment - known as being "togatus".
Q: What is ius Latii?
A: Ius Latii is a form of limited Roman citizenship granted by client states or allies (socii) who received it instead full citizenship status. Those who relocated from full citizen status into this form would lose their original level if they moved into a colony with lesser legal status than before; however if they moved into another Latin state or Latin colony then their ius Latii would remain intact.
