Lex Calpurnia
Encyclopedia
Lex Calpurnia was a law established in 149 BC
by Tribune
Lucius Calpurnius Piso
. According to this law, a permanent court with a praetor
who observed provincial governors has been established. The main reason was the increasing extortion in provinces. Provincial governors tried to compensate for their preceding service in Rome, which was unpaid, therefore levying too high taxes. The penalties were probably only pecuniary as a compensation and did not include exsilium.
According to Cicero, it was the first law dealing with this concern. Newer laws continued to make penalties heavier. Another laws on this subject were Lex Junia (probably 126 BC), Lex Acilia repetundarum
(123 BC), Lex Servilia Glaucia (100 BC), Lex Cornelia de maiestate (81 BC) and Lex Iulia de Repetundis (59 BC).
Also it is the first case of a permanent court established.
149 BC
Year 149 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Censorinus and Manilius...
by Tribune
Tribune
Tribune was a title shared by elected officials in the Roman Republic. Tribunes had the power to convene the Plebeian Council and to act as its president, which also gave them the right to propose legislation before it. They were sacrosanct, in the sense that any assault on their person was...
Lucius Calpurnius Piso
Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi (consul 133 BC)
Lucius Calpurnius Piso Frugi was a Roman consul in 133 BC, historian and representative of older Roman annalists. He was of plebeian origin....
. According to this law, a permanent court with a praetor
Praetor
Praetor was a title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to men acting in one of two official capacities: the commander of an army, usually in the field, or the named commander before mustering the army; and an elected magistratus assigned varied duties...
who observed provincial governors has been established. The main reason was the increasing extortion in provinces. Provincial governors tried to compensate for their preceding service in Rome, which was unpaid, therefore levying too high taxes. The penalties were probably only pecuniary as a compensation and did not include exsilium.
According to Cicero, it was the first law dealing with this concern. Newer laws continued to make penalties heavier. Another laws on this subject were Lex Junia (probably 126 BC), Lex Acilia repetundarum
Lex Acilia repetundarum
Lex Acilia Repetundarum was a law established in ancient Rome in 123 BC.It provides for equites as jurors in courts overseeing senatorial class to prevent corruption abroad. It was extremely unpopular since the inferior class judges the senatorial. It was believed to be part of Gaius Gracchus'...
(123 BC), Lex Servilia Glaucia (100 BC), Lex Cornelia de maiestate (81 BC) and Lex Iulia de Repetundis (59 BC).
Also it is the first case of a permanent court established.