Legal Definitions - libellus famosus

Libellus famosus is a Latin term from Roman law that refers to a defamatory publication. It describes any written work, such as a pamphlet, letter, or other document, that contains false statements intended to harm an individual's reputation, character, or standing in the community. In ancient Rome, the creation or distribution of such a publication was considered a serious offense, even if the author remained anonymous.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a libellus famosus:

• Imagine a political rival in ancient Rome who secretly commissions and distributes handwritten scrolls throughout the city. These scrolls contain fabricated stories and false accusations claiming that a prominent senator is secretly conspiring against the state and embezzling public funds, all designed to destroy his public image and political career.

  This scenario exemplifies a libellus famosus because the scrolls represent a published work (distributed widely) containing false and damaging accusations (defamatory) against an individual (the senator), with the clear intent to harm his reputation and standing.

• Consider a disgruntled former employee who writes and mails anonymous letters to several key clients of their previous company. These letters contain fabricated stories about the company's CEO engaging in unethical business practices and mismanaging client funds, hoping to damage the CEO's professional standing and the company's reputation.

  This situation illustrates a libellus famosus as the anonymous letters constitute a publication (distributed written material) containing false statements (defamatory) specifically designed to injure the CEO's reputation and the company's business standing.

• During a period of social tension, an anonymous playwright composes a satirical play that is performed in public and widely circulated in written form. The play falsely portrays a respected merchant as a greedy swindler who exploits the poor and hoards resources, leading to public scorn and a significant decline in the merchant's business.

  This play functions as a libellus famosus because it is a published (performed and circulated) work containing untrue and damaging allegations (defamatory) against the merchant, directly leading to harm to his reputation and livelihood.