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Maiestas

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Lex Roman Ancient History Greek Culture

Definition:

Maiestas is short for maiestas minuta populi Romani, 'the diminution of the majesty of theRoman people', a crime first introduced by L. Appuleius Saturninus in the lex Appuleia c.103 B.C. The charge was vague enough that it could cover a variety of actions, includingfailure in one's duty or revolt. It was reworked by Sulla in his lex Cornelia maiestatis of 81B.C. Later, Caesar revised it, making the main punishment for maiestas banishment.

Under the emperors it came to cover notonly treason and conspiracy, but also libeland slander, with the case presented to thesenate. Under Tiberius, the usualpunishment was death and confiscation ofproperty, rather than exile.

Source:

John Percy Vyvian Dacre Balsdon and Andrew WilliamLintott "maiestas" The Oxford Classical Dictionary.

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