When was the lex Aquilia enacted during the Roman Republic?
The lex Aquilia emerged during the 3rd century BC within the Roman Republic. Historians debate whether it arrived around 286 BC or later near 200 BC.
Questions about Lex Aquilia
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What did the first chapter of the lex Aquilia mandate regarding slaves and animals?
The first chapter mandated payment for killing another man's slaves or herd animals. It required compensation equal to the highest value held by that slave or beast over the preceding year.
How did the third chapter of the lex Aquilia calculate damages for property destruction?
The third chapter addressed burning, breaking, or rupturing other property types beyond men and cattle. Damages equaled the thing's value in the thirty days immediately before harm occurred.
Who were the ancient jurists who expanded the application of the lex Aquilia?
Gaius and Ulpian expanded the statute's application far beyond its original narrow scope. They transformed a rigid statute into a flexible tool for broader justice through legal adaptations.
Why did the second chapter of the lex Aquilia fall out of use quickly?
The second chapter originally covered fraudulently released debts but fell out of use quickly. Ulpian noted the second chapter had become defunct by Classical times and Justinian confirmed the section was no longer in force by the 5th century AD.