# A Basic Glossary of Roman Legal Terms 1.21-28

Roman Law and Society, A Basic Glossary of Roman Legal Terms, 1.21 to 1.28. Latin.

Canonical: https://interlinea.aeterna-institute.org/library/latin/roman-law-and-society/a-basic-glossary-of-roman-legal-terms/1.21

* heres suus - a person who, upon death of a pater familias , became sui iuris . * honestiores / humiliores - during the Empire, the populace was divided broadly into two classes. The honestiores were persons of status and property, the humiliores persons of low social status. Only the latter were subject to certain kinds of punishment (crucifixion, torture, and corporal punishment). * impubes - a person under the age of puberty (age 12 for girls, 14 for boys). They lacked full legal capacity and, if independent ( sui iuris ) had to be in tutelage. ** infamia - a condition of disgrace, involving significant legal disabilities, resulting from immoral or wrong conduct (conviction for a crime, condemnation in delictal actions, and actions involving breach of trust). * in iure - the initial proceedings of a trial, held before the praetor, at which the issues were framed for decision. It concluded with a “joinder of issue” ( litis contestatio ). The matter then went to the iudex for trial ( apud iudicem ). ** in iure cessio - a formal transfer of property in open court before the consul or praetor. interdict - an order issued by the praetor or other magistrate, usually giving rise to further proceedings if disregarded. It was used especially as a procedural device to determine property rights; but it was also the normal way to start proceedings for the protection of both public and private interest. The particular circumstances under which an interdictum would be issued were set forth in the praetor's Edictum . * iudex - the “judge,” an unpaid private person chosen from the list ( album ) drawn up according to wealth to decide a case referred to him by the praetor. If the case was heard by a panel of iudices , they were known as recuperatores .

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Roman Law and Society, A Basic Glossary of Roman Legal Terms. Text: The Latin Library (thelatinlibrary.com), used with permission. Changes: HTML markup removed and the text divided into reading sections by Interlinea.
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