Legal Definitions - leges centuriatae

The term leges centuriatae (pronounced "LEG-ays sen-too-ree-AH-tay") is a Latin plural meaning "laws of the centuries." It refers to laws that were formally enacted by the Comitia Centuriata, or the Centuriate Assembly, one of the most important legislative and electoral bodies in the ancient Roman Republic.

The Centuriate Assembly was structured into "centuries," groups that originally had military significance but later became voting units. The voting power within this assembly was weighted, giving more influence to wealthier citizens. This assembly was responsible for electing the highest-ranking magistrates (like consuls and praetors), declaring war, and passing significant legislation. Therefore, a lex centuriata (the singular form) was a law that had successfully navigated and been approved by this powerful assembly.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept:

• Example 1: Declaring War

  Imagine a situation in the Roman Republic where a neighboring kingdom had repeatedly raided Roman territories, threatening trade routes and citizen safety. The Roman Senate might debate the issue and then propose a formal declaration of war. For this declaration to become legally binding and for military action to commence, it would need to be put before the Comitia Centuriata. If the Centuriate Assembly voted in favor of the declaration, that act would constitute a lex centuriata, legally authorizing the Republic to engage in warfare.

• Example 2: Electing Senior Officials

  Consider the annual process of selecting the two consuls, who were the highest elected officials in the Roman Republic, holding both civil and military authority. The candidates for these prestigious positions would present themselves to the Roman populace, but their ultimate election was decided by the votes cast within the Comitia Centuriata. The formal act of electing these consuls, or any other senior magistrate like praetors or censors, was considered a legislative act of the assembly, and the outcome was effectively a lex centuriata establishing who would hold power for the coming year.

• Example 3: Establishing New Public Works

  Suppose the city of Rome faced a growing population and an urgent need for a more robust water supply system. A senator might propose a grand project to construct a new aqueduct, requiring significant public funds and labor. To authorize such a large-scale public work and allocate the necessary resources from the state treasury, the proposal would likely be presented to the Comitia Centuriata. If the assembly approved the plan, the resolution authorizing the construction and funding of the aqueduct would become a lex centuriata, making it a legally mandated public project.