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Legal Definitions - missilia
Definition of missilia
Missilia
In ancient Roman law, missilia referred to the practice of public officials or wealthy citizens spontaneously distributing money or small gifts to the general populace, often during public events or in public spaces. It represented a form of public generosity or largesse, intended to benefit the common people.
Example 1: During a public celebration of a military victory, a triumphant general might have arranged for wagons filled with grain and wine to be distributed freely among the citizens gathered in the forum.
Explanation 1: This illustrates missilia because the general, a high-ranking official, is providing substantial gifts (grain and wine) to the general public in a public setting, demonstrating an act of largesse.
Example 2: A particularly affluent Roman senator, seeking to gain favor with the local population, might have sponsored a series of public games and, at the conclusion, personally handed out small silver coins or commemorative tokens to attendees.
Explanation 2: This exemplifies missilia as a wealthy individual (the senator) is directly distributing small gifts (coins or tokens) to the public, an act of spontaneous generosity aimed at the populace.
Simple Definition
In Roman law, "missilia" refers to money or gifts that officials like praetors and consuls, or wealthy individuals, would throw to people on the street. This practice was a form of public largesse, distributing gifts to the populace.