The Criminal Law of Ancient Rome

Muggings on the street, theft at the public bath, graft and embezzlement by public officials, assassination plots, subversive ideas, were all feared by the citizens of Rome, who sought protection in criminal law. Robinson (law, U. of Glasgow) focuses on Sulla's establishment of standing jury courts during his dictatorship in 82-81 B.C., but also considers other periods of the Empire to show how the government dealt with crimes committed for gain, crimes involving violence, sexual offenses, offenses against the state, and offenses against public order. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.