Prosopographia del ius gladii

Abstract

This paper analyses the whole epigraphical evidence of the ius gladii, the Roman imperial power consisting in passing a sentence of death. According to these sources, from the first to the fourth century AD, three categories of people had this power: provincial governors, special military chiefs and the prefects of the annona. The aim of this paper is to elucidate the reason why the ius gladii is not always represented on the epigraphical monuments, although it is actually owned. In order to discuss this point, the presented prosopography shows different reasons, but, in general, the public representation of the ius gladii is due to the voluntary choice of everyone owning this power.