Stage 40 - Culture Flashcards
(13 cards)
What are quaestiones? (1)
Courts responsible for judging particular crimes (treason, murder, adultery)
What would a Roman involved in a civil case do? (2)
- He would go to a praetor who would look into the case
2. Appoint either a iudex (individual judge) to hear the case or refer it to an appropriate court
Where is cases involving inheritance or property claims go? (1)
The court of the centumviri
What kind of changes occurred during the time of Domitian? (2)
Senators charged with crimes could be tried in the senate by fellow-senators
Emperor took more part in administering the law
Explain what was different between prosecution then and now. (1)
Note two points about prosecution. (2)
Prosecution then was done by private individuals, instead of now, done by public officials.
Any citizen could bring forward a prosecution, and there could be a a reward for the prosecutor.
How could a Roman make a name for himself with the public? (2)
Acting as a patron and looking after clients who had gotten involved with the law
Attracting the attention of those who could help him climb the cursus honorum.
What is a novus homo? (1)
A man first in the family to serve in the Roman Senate
Make two notes about payment pertaining to lawyers. (2)
Lawyers were prohibited from receiving payment from clients
Permitted to accept fees later on, but client was not obligated to pay
What happened because Rome was ruled by an emperor?
Less political power to be fought over
Contests in court still mattered to speakers and clients. A well-known orator giving a speech attracted a large audience.
;-;
Which writers wrote about the courts?
Martial, Pliny, and Quintilian’s writings were full of casual details that conveyed the liveliness and excitement of the courts
How was Roman justice not fair? Give examples of why. (3)
Many tactics used had nothing do with right vs. wrong:
The accused might have tried to bring in their children to evoke pity from the jury
Speakers of clients might have tried to win by appealing to the jury’s emotions/prejudices or irrelevant arguments
People were found guilty for political reasons
Why was Roman court relatively fair?
A ten-man board wrote down the important points of law on bronze tables, known as the Twelve Tables, which were written and publicly displayed.
