Legal Definitions - Latium maius

Definition: Latium maius (lay-shee-uhm may-uhs) is a term used in Roman law to refer to the greater rights granted to the inhabitants of Latium and later to colonies outside Italy. These rights included citizenship for all members of the local curia or town council and their children.

Example: Under the Principate, there were two types of Latium: Latium maius and Latium minus. Latium maius referred to the rights granted to colonies founded as a coloniae Latinae outside Italy, combined with the concession of Roman citizenship to a larger group of individuals than Latium minus. In Latium minus, only the municipal magistrates and members of the municipal council were rewarded with Roman citizenship.

Explanation: The example illustrates how Latium maius was a term used to differentiate between the greater rights granted to certain colonies outside Italy and the lesser rights granted to others. The distinction was based on the extent of citizenship granted to the inhabitants of these colonies. In Latium maius, citizenship was granted to a larger group of individuals, while in Latium minus, it was limited to only the municipal magistrates and members of the municipal council.