Considerations Regarding the Evolution of the Criminal Legislation in the Roman Law

Abstract

In the present paper we have presented some considerations regarding the evolution of the criminal legislation in the Roman law. In order to fulfill this objective we made reference to the following reference periods: the archaic period; the period marked by the Law of the Twelve Tables; the era of the Republic; the Principate era and the period of the absolute monarchy. In the criminal field, Roman archaic legislation was greatly influenced by religious elements. By committing felonies the deity was offended, and for reestablishing the pax deorum, it was necessary to stop the fury of the gods by sacrificing the culprit. The merit of the present text consists of the comparative presentations of the evolution registered by the criminal legislation within the recalled periods.