Lex Titia

The lex Titia was an important Roman law passed on 27 November 43 BC. This law created the Triumvirate, a group of three powerful leaders: Octavian, Mark Antony, and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. Their job was to lead Rome for five years, until the end of 38 BC.

Unlike an earlier group called the First Triumvirate, which was just a private agreement among friends, the Triumvirate created by the lex Titia was official. It gave these three men almost complete control over Rome, allowing them to make big decisions and keep order during a difficult time. Later, in 38 BC, the law was renewed to extend their power a little longer.

Passage

The law was named after a man called Publius Titius, who was a leader of the people and introduced it. It was approved by a group of citizens called the comitia tributa. This was a bit unusual because laws that gave leaders important powers were usually approved by another group called the comitia centuriata.

The law gave three leaders very strong powers to help manage Rome.

Contents

Legal powers

The lex Titia gave the three leaders, called the triumvirate, very strong powers. They could make rules that everyone had to follow, change important groups, and set up new towns. They could also decide who could be a leader and give out awards.

They had the right to make decisions without anyone being able to challenge them. This meant they had control over many things, including starting wars and collecting money. Their power was higher than other leaders, so they could even decide if other leaders could celebrate big victories.

Term

The triumvirate was set to last for five years, but their powers could continue if they chose to keep them, unless they stepped down, died, or were officially removed. For example, one leader was removed in 36 BC by a vote of the senate and people. Another leader kept his powers until he officially gave them up in 27 BC.

Main article: Decemvirate
Main article: dictatorship of Sulla
Main article: proscriptions
Main article: lex Valeria
Main article: Capitoline Fasti

Legacy

The lex Titia did not end the old rules of Rome, but those rules never went back to how they were before. Some believe this law marked the end of the Roman Republic.

After many years and battles, Octavian won and started a new way of leading Rome called the Principate.

Main article: constitution of the Roman Republic

Main article: Principate