Právněhistorické studie / Legal History Studies (Charles University journal; below referred to as PHS or Journal) is a scientific journal listed in the international prestigious database SCOPUS. The journal is published by Charles University in Prague under the guarantee of the Department of Legal History of the Faculty of Law of Charles University. It is published by the Karolinum Press. The journal focuses on the field of legal history and related topics.
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PRÁVNĚHISTORICKÉ STUDIE, Vol 56 No 2 (2026), 247–263
ArticleCrimen maiestatis: Symbolism and Ritual Protection of Authority in Roman Criminal Law
Marie Neumann
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14712/2464689X.2026.560
published online: 06. 10. 2026
abstract
This article focuses on the development of the crime of high treason throughout the era of the Roman Empire, focusing on symbolism and ritual protection of authority in Roman criminal law. Using legal sources and historical cases, it illustrates the changes of this offence, with an emphasis on the changing perceptions of authority. The article draws on legal sources, especially the Code of Justinian and Theodosius and the Digest of Justinian, but also on non-legal sources, especially the work of Titus Livy, as well as other ancient historians. Furthermore, the article works with a variety of domestic and foreign secondary sources, especially monographs and scholarly articles.
keywords: Roman criminal law; high Treason; Roman Empire; protection of Authority
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