Legal Definitions - a libellis

The term a libellis refers to a historical official, particularly prominent in ancient Roman law, whose primary responsibility was to manage and process formal petitions or requests submitted directly to the emperor or sovereign.

These petitions, known as "libelli," could encompass a wide array of matters, from legal appeals and administrative grievances to personal pleas for justice or favors. The a libellis acted as a crucial intermediary, reviewing, organizing, and presenting these communications to the highest authority, ensuring a systematic approach to handling the vast number of requests directed at the ruler.

Here are some examples illustrating the role of an a libellis:

• Example 1 (Roman Legal Dispute): Imagine a Roman citizen in the 2nd century CE who believes a provincial governor has unjustly confiscated their property. This citizen would draft a detailed written petition, or "libellus," outlining their case and submit it to the office of the a libellis. The a libellis would then be responsible for reviewing the petition for proper form, categorizing its subject matter, and ensuring it was presented to the emperor or his designated legal advisors for consideration and potential action.

  Explanation: This scenario demonstrates the a libellis as the official gatekeeper and administrator for citizens seeking direct intervention or redress from the emperor in legal matters, managing the formal flow of grievances to the highest authority.

• Example 2 (Administrative Request): Consider a group of merchants in the Roman Empire who wish to obtain an imperial decree granting them exclusive trading rights in a newly conquered territory. They would prepare a formal request, a "libellus," detailing their proposal and the benefits it would bring to the empire. This petition would be submitted to the a libellis, who would then process it, perhaps consulting with other imperial departments, before presenting it to the emperor for his decision on whether to issue the decree.

  Explanation: This example highlights the a libellis's role in handling administrative and economic requests directed at the sovereign, acting as a central point for official communications that required imperial approval or legislation.

• Example 3 (Historical English Analogy - Chancellor of the Exchequer): While the term a libellis is specifically Roman, its function of managing petitions to the sovereign has historical parallels. In early English history, the role of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, particularly in its formative stages, sometimes involved duties akin to an a libellis. For instance, a medieval baron seeking a royal grant of land or a town petitioning for a reduction in taxes would submit their formal requests to an official who, in a broader sense, performed the administrative task of processing these financial and land-related "libelli" (petitions) for the Crown's consideration.

  Explanation: This example connects the core function of managing formal requests to a sovereign with the historical evolution of high offices, illustrating how the administrative task of handling petitions, especially those concerning finance or royal grants, was a vital part of governance that could be absorbed by roles like the Chancellor of the Exchequer.