Leges Clodiae

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Leges Clodiae ("Clodian laws") were a series of

plebeian family in order to qualify for the office of tribune of the plebs, which was not open to patricians. Clodius was famously a bitter opponent of Cicero
.

The Laws

One law, the Lex Clodia de Auspiciis ("The Law of Clodius on the Auspices"), prevented the

Tribal Assembly), by declaring that unfavourable omens (auspices) had been observed. This had been an ordinary form of legislative obstruction for centuries, and was formally codified around the year 150 BC by the Lex Aelia et Fufia. Pompey, for example, was known to have used this obstructive device at least once.[1]
Thus, in effect, this law repealed the Lex Aelia et Fufia.

Another law, the Lex Clodia de Censoribus ("The Law of Clodius on the Censors"), prescribed certain rules for the

Metellus Scipio
.

A third law, the Lex Clodia de Civibus Romanis Interemptis, was key to Caesar's support for Clodius. The law threatened punishment for anyone who offered fire and water to those who had executed Roman citizens without a trial "qui civem Romanum indemnatum interemisset, ei aqua et igni interdiceretur." This was an ingenious means of forcing Cicero into exile without trying him directly. Cicero, an enemy of Clodius having executed members of the

populares.) [4][5] As a result of this law, Cicero went into exile
, from which he did not return for 18 months.

A fourth law, the Lex Clodia Frumentaria required the distribution of grain to Rome's poor citizens for free. Before this law, grain had been distributed to Rome's poor at a low price instead.[6][7] This was somewhat radical, as during the first centuries of the republic, as per the Valerian and Porcian laws, several citizens had been executed for distributing free grain to the poor, under the concern that they were plotting to win popular support in order to overthrow the government and seize a tyranny.

A fifth law, the Lex Clodia de Sodalitatibus ("The Law of Clodius on the Associations") was a law that declared that certain clubs of a "semi-political nature" (i.e. armed gangs) were lawful. These clubs had been abolished through a decree of the senate in 80 BC, probably upon the urging of the aristocratic

Lucius Cornelius Sulla, who had attempted to weaken the power of Rome's citizens and to strengthen the senate.[8][9] The result of this law was a wave of violence and gang warfare that resulted in Clodius' murder, and that was not to end until the end of the republic and the establishment of the Roman Empire
.

A sixth law, the Lex Clodia de Libertinorum Suffragiis ("The Law of Clodius on the Voting of Freedmen") attempted to extend freedmen's (i.e. ex-slaves') voting rights (suffrage).[10]

A seventh law, the Lex Clodia de Rege Ptolemaeo et de exsulibus Byzantinis pertained to several of Rome's eastern provinces and vassal states (in particular Ptolemaic Egypt and Byzantium in Greece).[11][12][13][14]

See also

References

  1. ^ Dion Cassius. XXXVIII.13; Cic. in Vatin. 17, in Pison. 4, 5
  2. ^ Dion Cassius XL.57, XXXVIII.13
  3. ^ Cicero pro Sestio, 25; Dig. 50 tit. 16 s203 De Portorio
  4. ^ Pro Domo, 18, &c., Post Redit. in Sen. 2.5, &c.
  5. ^ Dion Cassius. XXXVIII.14
  6. ^ Dion Cassius. XXXVIII.13
  7. ^ Cicero pro Domo, 10
  8. ^ Cicero. in Pis. 4, pro Sest. 25, ad Att. III.15
  9. ^ Dion Cassius. XXXVIII.13
  10. ^ Cicero. pro Mil. 12, 33
  11. ^ Velleius Paterculus II.45
  12. ^ Cicero. pro Dom. 8, 20, pro Sest. 26
  13. ^ Dion Cassius. XXXVIII.30
  14. ^ Plutarch Cat. Min. 34

External links

Modern works

  • Tatum, W. Jeffrey. The Patrician Tribune: P. Clodius Pulcher. Studies in the History of Greece and Rome (University of North Carolina Press, 1999) hardcover
    ISBN 0-8078-2480-1
  • Fezzi, L: Il tribuno Clodio (Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2008)
    ISBN 88-420-8715-7
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