Legal Definitions - arma

In Roman law, the term arma refers to two primary concepts:

• Weapons or Arms: This includes any implements used for combat or defense.
• Military Service: This refers to the duty or obligation to serve in the military.

Beyond these general meanings, there are specific applications:

• Arma moluta specifically denotes sharp, cutting weapons, distinguishing them from blunt instruments that might bruise or break rather than cut.
• Arma reversata describes a symbolic punishment where weapons are reversed, typically inflicted upon a convicted felon or traitor to signify dishonor and disgrace.

Examples of Arma in Context:

• Example 1 (Weapons): Imagine a historical account detailing a Roman legion preparing for a frontier skirmish. The centurion would command his soldiers to inspect their arma, ensuring their swords were sharp, their shields sturdy, and their javelins ready for deployment.

  Explanation: Here, arma directly refers to the physical weapons and defensive gear carried by the soldiers.

• Example 2 (Military Service): A newly discovered ancient Roman decree might outline the civic responsibilities of young men, stating that all able-bodied citizens were expected to provide arma for a minimum of ten years, meaning they were obligated to serve in the Roman military.

  Explanation: In this context, arma signifies the compulsory military service or duty owed by citizens to the state.

• Example 3 (Arma moluta): During a legal proceeding in ancient Rome concerning a violent assault, the prosecutor might emphasize that the victim's severe lacerations were caused by an arma moluta, such as a gladius (short sword), rather than a blunt object like a club, which would have resulted in different types of injuries.

  Explanation: This example illustrates how arma moluta was used to specify a weapon capable of cutting, which could be crucial in determining the nature of the crime or the intent of the perpetrator.

• Example 4 (Arma reversata): Consider a high-ranking Roman official found guilty of conspiring against the Emperor. As part of his public degradation, he might be paraded through the city with his arma reversata—his ceremonial dagger turned upside down and his shield carried backward—before being led to his execution, symbolizing his utter disgrace and loss of honor.

  Explanation: This demonstrates arma reversata as a specific, symbolic act of punishment, where the reversal of weapons signifies the complete dishonor and condemnation of a traitor or felon.