Legal Definitions - adrogate

Adrogate (ad-roh-gayt) is a verb used in Roman law. It means that a man adopts a son or daughter who is not already under another father's power (patria potestas). In the later Empire, daughters also became eligible for adoption.

Example 1: In ancient Rome, if a man wanted to have a son to carry on his family name and inherit his property, he could adrogate a boy who was not already under another father's power. This was a formal legal process that required the consent of the biological parents and the approval of a judge.

Example 2: In the later Empire, daughters also became eligible for adoption. This was a significant change in Roman law, as previously only sons could be adrogated. This allowed families without male heirs to continue their lineage and pass on their wealth to a chosen daughter.

These examples illustrate how adrogation was a legal process that allowed a man to adopt a child who was not his biological offspring. It was a way to ensure that a family's name and property would be passed down to a chosen heir, regardless of biological ties.