Leges regiae

The leges regiae ("royal laws") were early Roman laws, which classical historians, such as Plutarch, mentioned had been introduced by the Kings of Rome.

Though sometimes questioned, scholars generally accept that the laws (or their ultimate sources) originated very early in Roman history, even as early as the period of the Roman Kingdom. For example, recent research has discovered previously unknown fragments quoted by ancient writers and some changes have been made about attribution to the various kings.

The position of the king during the entire Regal period was that of a political, military, religious, and judiciary chief of the community, even if the actual duties were delegated and entrusted to his many auxiliaries.

According to Sextus Pomponius, Romulus organized the tribes of Rome into thirty units called "Curiae", and he then administered the affairs of the state on the basis of the opinion the Curiate Assembly. This event is at the origin of lex regia.

Romulus is also credited with creating another institution involved in the emanation of leges regiae - the council of the elders or Senate of the Roman Kingdom.

After an interregnum Numa Pompilius succeeded to Romulus: as it will happen for each of his successors an interrex held the government til the election of the new king. Numa emanated a number of important leges regiae. To him was attributed the compilation of the book Commentari regi.

A great innovation of his concerned criminal law on voluntary and non voluntary crimes.

Some scholars argue on lexical grounds that in this period some leges regiae showed a Sabine influence.

Successor Tullus Hostilius is traditionally called the warrior king. He celebrated the solemn sacrifices using the work by Numa Commentari Numae. He created the officials named Fetiales who were a sacerdotal collegium.

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