How Do You Spell CENTUMVIRI?

Pronunciation: [sˌɛntəmvˈi͡əɹi] (IPA)

The correct spelling of the Latin word "Centumviri" is a matter of debate. The word refers to a tribunal of a hundred men in ancient Rome. The usual spelling in English is "Centumvirate," reflecting the pronunciation with a long "i" after the first syllable, /ˈsɛntəmvaɪrət/ (sen-tuhm-vye-ruht). Some sources argue for the spelling "Centumviri," reflecting a pronunciation with a schwa after the first syllable, /ˌsɛntəmˈvɪri/ (sen-tuhm-VEER-ee). Either way, the word remains important in Roman history and legal tradition.

CENTUMVIRI Meaning and Definition

  1. The term "Centumviri" refers to an ancient Roman legal and judicial body known as the Centumviral Court, which played a significant role in both civil and commercial law during the time of the Roman Republic and the early Roman Empire. The name "Centumviri" translates to "hundred men" in Latin, indicating that this court was composed of one hundred members.

    The Centumviral Court was responsible for hearing and deciding various legal cases, such as property disputes, inheritance matters, and contractual conflicts. The members of this court were generally chosen from among the Roman aristocracy and had a deep understanding of the Roman legal system. They were considered experts in civil law and were renowned for their impartiality and fair judgment.

    This court functioned as both a trial court and an appellate court, occasionally reviewing cases that had been decided by lower courts. Its decisions were highly respected and regarded as forming an important part of Roman law jurisprudence. The Centumviri had the power to render verdicts on the basis of majority rule, and their decisions were typically binding and enforceable.

    Over time, the role and influence of the Centumviral Court diminished with the rise of the Roman imperial system. Eventually, Emperor Hadrian reformed the legal system, and the Centumviri lost most of their judicial functions, although they continued to exist in a diminished capacity. Nonetheless, the Centumviral Court remains an important institution in Roman legal history, representing the early development of a sophisticated legal system that would later greatly influence the Western legal tradition.

Common Misspellings for CENTUMVIRI

  • xentumviri
  • ventumviri
  • fentumviri
  • dentumviri
  • cwntumviri
  • csntumviri
  • cdntumviri
  • crntumviri
  • c4ntumviri
  • c3ntumviri
  • cebtumviri
  • cemtumviri
  • cejtumviri
  • cehtumviri
  • cenrumviri
  • cenfumviri
  • cengumviri
  • cenyumviri
  • cen6umviri

Etymology of CENTUMVIRI

The word "Centumviri" has its etymology rooted in Latin. It is derived from two Latin words: "centum", meaning "hundred", and "viri", meaning "men" or "people".

In ancient Rome, the Centumviri were a group of roughly 100 men who served as judges in the Roman legal system. They were selected from the wealthiest and most influential families and were responsible for overseeing civil cases and matters of inheritance. The term "Centumviri" is essentially a literal description of this group, indicating their membership of around one hundred individuals.

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