Age Limits in the Service of the Roman Army – lex Aelia Sentia and lex Visellia

Wojciech J Kosior

doi:10.17951/sil.2019.28.3.23-39

Abstract

In ancient Rome at the beginning of the first century A.D., a number of reforms in the field of personal rights were carried out. At that time, the lex Aelia Sentia was passed, which limited the liberation of slaves. During this period, lex Visellia also was passed, which tempted former slaves with Roman citizenship in exchange for serving in the army. The purpose of this article was an attempt to determine whether it can be said that the title acts, i.e. lex Aelia Sentia and lex Visellia, have a common goal and, in fact, part of their records together created one legal concept that was to ensure easy access of recruits to the newly formed paramilitary organisation militia vigilum, to which, after the civil war and general recruitment crisis in the army, there were no volunteers.

Highlights

The lex Aelia Sentia was passed, which limited the liberation of slaves
U determine whether it can be said that the title acts, i.e. lex Aelia Sentia and lex Visellia, have a common goal and, part of their records together created one legal concept that was to ensure easy access of recruits to the newly formed paramilitary organisation militia vigilum, to which, after the civil war and general recruitment crisis in the army, there were no volunteers
A number of legal options were provided for such people, through which they could apply for Roman citizenship

Summary

Introduction

U determine whether it can be said that the title acts, i.e. lex Aelia Sentia and lex Visellia, have a common goal and, part of their records together created one legal concept that was to ensure easy access of recruits to the newly formed paramilitary organisation militia vigilum, to which, after the civil war and general recruitment crisis in the army, there were no volunteers. The same act (or another one issued several years later) sanctioned that violation of this requirement resulted in granting freedom, but not in the rank of a Roman citizen, but – especially for the purposes of this law created – in the rank of a Junian Latin, who was significantly limited in its

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