Punishments in Roman crime and punishment

• Punishments for Roman citizens for minor crimes


  • Whipping
  • Confiscation of property
  • Fines to repay the cost of the stolen goods
• Punishments for Roman citizens for major crimes

  • Crucifixion
  • Sent to fight in the Games
  • Pushed off a cliff
  • Having molten lead poured down your throat
• Most of the minor crimes were to do with poverty and as such nobles, who had lots of money, were rarely convicted of minor crimes
• If nobles were convicted of a major crime they would be given the option to go into exile rather than be executed
• For slaves punishments were generally very harsh, with crucifixion being common as it sent out a message to any other slaves who might think about doing a similar thing
• If one slave in a household was convicted of a crime then quite often all the other slaves of that household were executed with the criminal
• Decimation


  Killing every 10th man in the legion to discourage desertion from the army
• The city of Rome was a busy and densely populated area, with rich Roman aristocrats living alongside poor Roman citizens and even slaves
• Poverty and wealth


  Can result in conflict, with poor people wishing to take what they want (or perhaps need) from the rich
• Burglary and theft were common crimes, as the densely packed houses and properties in the city made it easier for opportunists to break in and escape
• Slaves running away was a common crime, as slavery was legal and slaves were treated savagely
• Fraud was common, with traders using underhanded methods to make greater profits, such as lying about the weights of products
• Arson was a crime, as the hot, dry city with closely packed houses made fires more likely
• Rioting was common, with rival chariot racing and other game fans clashing at the Colosseum
• Murder was significant, as seeing other people brutally killed was a sport in ancient Rome
• Slaves


  Individuals who were owned by others and were forced to work without pay.