Law and Crime in the Roman World

Key Themes in Ancient History

by Jill Harries

What was crime in ancient Rome? Was it defined by law or social attitudes? How did damage to the individual differ from offences against the community as a whole? This book explores competing legal and extra-legal discourses in a number of areas, including theft, official malpractice, treason, sexual misconduct, crimes of violence, homicide, magic and perceptions of deviance. It argues that court practice was responsive to social change, despite the ingrained conservatism of the legal tradition, and that judges and litigants were in part responsible for the harsher operation of justice in Late Antiquity. Consideration is also given to how attitudes to crime were shaped not only by legal experts but also by the rhetorical education and practices of advocates, and by popular and even elite indifference to the finer points of law.

Genres: Classics, History

Paperback

First published November 15, 2007

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good source of knowledge that the average reader could understand. Well written.

[Drianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview, although even so sometimes a bit too technical for the non-specialist (assumes quite a bit of background knowledge).