On the "ius adipiscendae civitatis Romanae per magistratum" in the "Lex Irnitana"

Abstract

The chapter 21 of the Lex Irnitana establishes the rules according to which local magistrates, who at the same time belonged to the ordo decurionum, acquired the right to obtain the Roman citizenship – together with part of their relatives – after leaving their office. A thorough analysis of the text has revealed that it also defines indirectly in what situations the rule established by the chapter was not appropriate. In the light of the examination of other chapters of the Lex of Irni as well as of some excerpts from the charter of the colony of Urso, the study investigates the cases in which the so-called ius adipiscendae civitatis Romanae per magistratum was not applicable in the Municipium Irnitanum