patria potestas

American  

[pay-tree-uh poh-tes-tuhs, pah-, pa-, pah-tri-ah poh-tes-tahs] / ˈpeɪ tri ə poʊˈtɛs təs, ˈpɑ-, ˈpæ-, ˈpɑ trɪˌɑ poʊˈtɛs tɑs /

noun

Roman Law.

1. the power vested in the paterfamilias or head of the Roman family with respect to his wife, natural or adopted children, and agnatic descendants: title to family property is vested exclusively in the paterfamilias, property acquired by a family member becomes family property, and no family member can enter into a transaction in their own right.

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Etymology

Origin of patria potestas

From Latin: literally, “paternal power”

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

patria potestas

Some enslaved people were sold into bondage through patria potestas.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 19, 2023

The patria potestas, the authority of the father, was absolute.

From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2022

It took its earliest colour from that conception of the patria potestas, or the power of the head of the family over its members, which enters so deeply into the jurisprudence of ancient Rome.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various

Among the Romans the existence of the patria potestas gave a peculiar significance to the custom of adoption.

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

The soldier, on the other hand, can get summary settlement of all his disputes, and alone of Romans is exempt from the patria potestas, can control his earnings and bequeath them to whom he will.

From Post-Augustan Poetry From Seneca to Juvenal by Harold Edgeworth Butler

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