Crime and Punishment in Ancient Rome

Description

Crime and punishment have concerned humanity since the beginning of social life. Their manifestations in ancient Rome remains an interesting topic, as the law of most European countries today is derived from ancient Roman law. The author tells the history of punishment from the Roman Republic to the late Empire, thus shedding light on some decisive aspects of Roman history. Trials for treason, sedition and corruption illuminate political history; common law crimes like murder, poisoning, rape, adultery and forgery sharpen the perception of social history; discussions of freedom of speech increase the understanding of intellectual history; and religious persecutions fill out the picture of religious history. This study should provide useful reading not only for the Roman historian, but for modern historians and lawyers, sociologists and those generally interested in classical antiquity.