Roman Law in TV Series ‘Rome’
Roman Law in TV Series ‘Rome’

Summary/Abstract: ‘Is there some other form of law?’ – that is how Gaius Iulius Caesar (played byCiaran Hinds) in the TV series ‘Rome’ comments on Roman Law. ‘Rome’ (2005–2007) is a historical drama set in the last days of the Roman Republic. It is one of the most interesting shows helping to visualize Rome. One of the elements portrayed in the series is Roman Law. Although there is a criminal trial presented in one of the episodes the audience is rarely acquainted with law and its rules directly, Roman legal system can be discovered mostly through characters’ actions. There are many legal elements e.g.:penal trial, executing penalty (damnatio ad gladium ludi), manumission (manumissio),funeral arrangements, or corporal punishment of the soldiers (castigatio). Some of the legal aspects are presented correctly others contain some discrepancies; nevertheless there is a quite interesting portrayal of Roman Law in the series. The aim of the article is to find and describe some legal issues presented in ‘Rome’. It can be both scientific and educational. Nowadays the lecturers search for innovative or more engaging ways to teach, I believe the series could be a useful tool for students of law.

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