What is the Law of Augustus Marriage?

The law of Augustus marriage refers primarily to the Lex Iulia de Maritandis Ordinibus, enacted in 18 BCE, and its later complement, the Lex Papia Poppaea of 9 CE. Together, these legislative acts, often known collectively as the Lex Iulia et Papia, formed the cornerstone of Emperor Augustus's social reforms aimed at regulating marriage and encouraging procreation among Roman citizens.

Overview of Augustan Marriage Laws

Augustus's marriage legislation was a significant effort to address perceived moral decline and population decrease in Roman society following decades of civil wars. The core principle of these laws was to incentivize marriage and childbirth while penalizing celibacy and childlessness among the Roman elite.

Lex Iulia de Maritandis Ordinibus (18 BCE)

This foundational law, a plebiscite, laid the groundwork for Augustan marriage policy. Its primary objective was to compel all Roman citizens to enter into marriage with the express purpose of producing legitimate offspring.

• Key Provisions:
  • Obligation to Marry: Imposed a legal obligation on Roman men and women of certain ages to marry. For men, this was generally between 25 and 60, and for women, between 20 and 50.
  • Penalties for Celibacy: Unmarried individuals and those without children faced various disadvantages.
  • Restrictions on Intermarriage: Placed limitations on marriages between different social classes, such as senators and freedwomen, or individuals involved in certain professions (e.g., actresses).
  • Inheritance Disadvantages: Celibates or childless individuals could be barred from receiving inheritances or legacies, or have their portions reduced.

Lex Papia Poppaea (9 CE)

Enacted later to reinforce and expand upon the Lex Iulia, this law further solidified the Augustan marriage reforms, often making the provisions more stringent or clarifying existing ones.

• Complementary Nature: It worked in conjunction with the Lex Iulia, addressing loopholes and strengthening its enforcement.
• Incentives for Procreation: Offered various privileges and benefits to those who married and had children, particularly three or more legitimate children (the ius trium liberorum). These included preferential treatment in public office and relief from certain guardianships.
• Further Penalties: Reinforced the inheritance disadvantages for the childless (caelibes) and those who were married but childless (orbi).

Impact and Legacy

The Augustan marriage laws represented a bold intervention by the state into the private lives of its citizens. While controversial in their time, they aimed to revitalize Roman society by promoting traditional family values, increasing the birthrate, and ensuring the continuity of the Roman elite.

Key Impacts:

• Population Growth: Intended to boost the Roman population, especially after the demographic toll of civil wars.
• Moral Reform: Part of Augustus's broader program to restore traditional Roman morality (pietas and gravitas).
• Legal Precedent: Established significant legal precedents concerning family law and public policy, influencing later Roman legal developments.

For a broader understanding of these foundational Roman laws, you can explore resources on Roman law or specific legislative acts like the Lex Iulia de Maritandis Ordinibus and the Lex Papia Poppaea.

Summary Table

The laws of Augustus marriage were a comprehensive effort to reshape Roman demographics and social norms, emphasizing the importance of marriage and family for the state's well-being.