Religion, Law, and Calendar in Ancient Rome
Religion in Ancient Rome
The Pietas
The Romans granted great importance to religion in both private and public life.
Practical Sense
The Romans had an eminently pragmatic sense of religion.
Formalism
The quasi-contractual approach to religion is manifested in a formalistic and scrupulous practice of the rites and formulas: always precise gestures and words.
Conservatism
In religion, as in other facets of their mindset, the Romans were deeply conservative, especially the working classes.
Openness
By practicing an open polytheism, they readily incorporated elements from other mythologies.
The Primitive Roman Religion
- Pre-Etruscan Period: Jupiter, Mars, Quirinus, Saturn, Janus, Vesta, Tellus.
- Etruscan Period: Juno, Minerva.
During the Republic
- Private or Family Religion: the Lares, the Penates, the Genius, Juno, the Manes.
- Celebrations: Feriae, Ludi.
- Priesthoods: the Flamines, the Pontifices.
Christianity
Phasing in since the mid-first century, spreading, and eventually gaining acceptance within Roman society.
Roman Law
Roman Senate. Magistrates. Councils. Mos Maiorum. Referenda. Actions. Jurisdiction. Property. Easement. Usufruct. Inheritance.
Definition: A set of legal rules which governed the people of Rome throughout its history. Its study includes, on the one hand, the history of Rome (mainly the various stages and environments that will make these rules express, i.e., the sources of production of this Law), and on the other hand, the major legal institutions Rome created and conveyed to us.
History of Roman Law
- From the founding of the city (754 BC) until the end of the Second Punic War (201 BC).
- From the end of the Second Punic War to the death of Alexander Severus (235 AD).
- From the death of Alexander Severus to Justinian.
Sources of Law
Mos Maiorum, The Law of the XII Tables, Plebiscita, Senatus Consulta, Edicta Magistratuum, Responsa Prudentium, and Imperial Constitutions.
Expressions Used Primarily in the Legal Field
- De facto (loc. adv.): In fact, not by law (as opposed to de jure). Ex: The revolt of the government was recognized de facto.
- De jure (loc. adv.): By law, whether in fact (de facto) or not. Ex: The government remained legally recognized de jure.
- Dura lex, sed lex: ‘The law is harsh, but it is the law.’
- Habeas corpus: ‘You shall have the body’. A procedural institution that aims to make available to any person arrested immediately the competent judicial authority to determine the legality of the arrest.
- In dubio, pro reo: ‘When in doubt, in favor of the accused.’ A legal principle.
- Patria potestas: The legal authority that Roman citizens had over their children; parents’ obligation to look after children during their minority.
- Persona non grata: ‘An unwelcome person’, applied to a diplomat or someone rejected by a government or another institution.
- Si vis pacem, para bellum: ‘If you want peace, prepare for war’, a paraphrase of the sentence “Si desideras pacem, bellum praepara” (Vegetius, Epitoma Rei Militaris, III).
- Sub judice: ‘Under a judge’, pending judicial resolution. Ex: While the case is sub judice, you cannot talk with reporters.
The Roman Calendar
The Months
Ianuarius, Februarius, Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Iunius.
Days
Holidays, weekly dates.
Julian Calendar
The dating system.
Hours
- Day: Prima, Secunda, Tertia, Quarta, Quinta, Sexta, Septima, Octava, Nona, Decima, Undecima, Duodecima.
- Night: Prima Vigilia, Secunda Vigilia, Tertia Vigilia, Quarta Vigilia.