Legal Definitions - consobrini

Consobrini is a term originating from ancient Roman law. It specifically refers to first cousins who are the children of two sisters. While the broader term "first cousins" generally includes all children of siblings (whether brothers, sisters, or a brother and a sister), consobrini was a precise designation for the offspring of two female siblings.

• Example 1: Family Inheritance and Guardianship

  Imagine two prominent Roman sisters, Livia and Julia, who both married and had children. Livia had a son named Gaius, and Julia had a daughter named Cornelia. If Livia were to pass away, leaving Gaius an orphan, his consobrini (Cornelia) and her family might have had a specific role in his upbringing or in managing his inheritance, distinct from other, more distant relatives. This specific term highlighted the close maternal lineage.

  Explanation: Gaius and Cornelia are consobrini because their mothers, Livia and Julia, were sisters. This specific relationship could have influenced social expectations regarding guardianship or the handling of family assets in Roman society.

• Example 2: Marriage Alliances within a Clan

  In a powerful Roman senatorial family, two sisters, Octavia and Antonia, each had several children. The family sought to consolidate its influence and wealth by arranging marriages that kept assets within the immediate lineage. The children of Octavia and the children of Antonia would be considered for such alliances.

  Explanation: The children of Octavia and Antonia are consobrini to each other because their mothers were sisters. In Roman society, marriage between such specific first cousins might have been preferred to strengthen family bonds and prevent the dilution of wealth or political power outside the direct maternal line.

• Example 3: Social Identification and Lineage Tracking

  During a formal family gathering or when documenting family trees for official purposes in ancient Rome, precise familial relationships were often emphasized. If a Roman citizen was described as being a consobrini to another, it immediately clarified their specific connection.

  Explanation: Being identified as a consobrini meant that the individual's mother was a sister to the mother of their cousin. This specific designation provided clarity regarding their maternal lineage and the nature of their first-cousin relationship, which was important for social standing and legal rights in Roman society.