Lex Cornelia de sicariis et veneficis
- 1The law was enacted in 81 BC by Sulla.
- 2It targeted crimes such as murder, poisoning, and human sacrifice.
- 3The statute was later applied to cases of castration and circumcision.
- 4The law remained in effect until the time of Justinian in the 6th century A.D.
The Lex Cornelia de sicariis et veneficis was a Roman statute enacted by Lucius Cornelius Sulla in 81 BC during his dictatorship to write laws and reconstitute the state which aimed at the punishment of murderers, poisoners, abortionists, human sacrifice, and malign magicians and was later also applied to the punishment of castration and circumcision.
Connections1
Sullan law regarding criminal justice
This law established permanent jury courts for murder and poisoning, representing a significant part of Sulla's judicial reforms.
The Lex Cornelia de sicariis et veneficis was a significant Roman statute enacted in 81 BC by Sulla during his tenure as dictator. The law was designed to reconstitute the state's legal framework by establishing strict penalties for a variety of serious crimes, including murder, poisoning, and human sacrifice.
Beyond its initial scope, the statute also targeted abortionists and those practicing malign magic. Its influence was remarkably enduring, as the legal principles established by this law remained in force well into the 6th century A.D., during the reign of the emperor Justinian.