law
lex curiata de imperio
the curiate law
also: lex curiata, legem curiatam
The law passed by the comitia curiata formally conferring imperium on a magistrate, traditionally required before a governor took up his province. Appius Claudius disputed whether it was strictly necessary (Fam. 1.9.25).
Reading notes
- Ad Atticum 2.7 §2 the proposers and the augurs of the curiate law
The lex curiata was the formal act of the comitia curiata that ratified an adoption (here Clodius's adoption into a plebeian family) and could confer a magistrate's command. Its sponsors and the augurs who oversaw the auspices were annoyed that Clodius scorned the legation they had arranged.
- Ad Quintum Fratrem 3.2 §3 without a curiate law
The lex curiata de imperio was the formal grant of military and civil authority that the curiate assembly conferred on an incoming magistrate; Appius's claim to govern his province without it was a notorious irregularity.