Legal Definitions - civis

Civis is a Latin term from ancient Roman law that refers to a Roman citizen. A civis was an individual who possessed the full range of public and private rights granted by Roman citizenship. These rights were fundamental to a person's status and participation in Roman society.

While male citizens enjoyed both public rights (such as voting, holding public office, or serving in the military) and private rights (such as owning property, entering contracts, or marrying), female citizens primarily held private rights, meaning their participation in public life was restricted.

• Example 1: Public Participation of a Male Civis

  Imagine a man named Gaius living in Rome during the Republic. As a civis, Gaius possesses the right to cast his vote in the Roman assemblies, directly influencing the election of magistrates and the passage of laws. He could also, if he met the necessary qualifications and gained sufficient support, stand for election himself to various public offices, such as a senator or a consul. This illustrates how a male civis was an active participant in the political life of the Roman state, exercising the public rights inherent in his citizenship.

• Example 2: Legal Protections and Private Rights of a Male Civis

  Consider Marcus, a Roman merchant traveling through a newly conquered province far from Rome. Because Marcus is a civis, he has the legal right to own land anywhere within Roman territory, enter into legally binding contracts with other citizens or even non-citizens, and marry a Roman woman with the full legal recognition of their union. Furthermore, if Marcus were unjustly arrested by local authorities in the province, his status as a civis would grant him the right to appeal to Roman courts and demand a trial in Rome, demonstrating the significant legal protections and private rights afforded to a Roman citizen.

• Example 3: Private Rights of a Female Civis

  Think of Livia, a Roman woman from a prominent family. Although Livia, as a female civis, could not vote or hold public office, she possessed crucial private rights. She could inherit property, own slaves, and manage her own finances, often with the assistance of a male guardian (though this guardianship evolved over time, granting women more autonomy). Her marriage to another Roman citizen would be a legally recognized Roman marriage, and her children would automatically inherit Roman citizenship. This shows that while her public participation was limited, her status as a civis still granted her significant legal standing and property rights within Roman society.