law
lex Roscia theatralis
the Roscian theatre-law
also: Roscia lex, de Othone, lex Roscia, the Roscian law
The theatre-law of the tribune L. Roscius Otho (67 BC), reserving the first fourteen rows of seats for the equestrian order; it provoked popular protest. Cicero's lost defence of it is the 'speech on Otho' in his consular corpus.
Reading notes
- Ad Atticum 2.1 §3 the third on Otho
Cicero's lost speech defending the lex Roscia theatralis of the tribune L. Roscius Otho (67 BC), which reserved the first fourteen rows of theatre seats for the equestrian order; it had provoked popular protest.
- Ad Atticum 2.19 §2 they threatened the Roscian law, even the grain law
Two threats aimed at the knights: repeal of the lex Roscia theatralis of 67 BC (which reserved the first fourteen rows of the theatre for equestrians, a prized privilege), and tampering with the grain law (lex frumentaria) regulating the subsidised corn supply.
- Second Philippic §44 by the Roscian law a fixed place was set down for bankrupts
The lex Roscia theatralis of 67 BC reserved the first fourteen rows of theatre seats for the equestrian order and barred bankrupts from them; Antony, bankrupt as a youth, sat there illegally.