Legal Definitions - curia

Definition: Curia is a word that has been used in different ways throughout history. In ancient Rome, it referred to a group of people or a building where the Senate met. Later on, it was used to describe a court or a gathering of people who advised a king or prince. Nowadays, it is mostly associated with the papal court and its officials. Examples: - In ancient Rome, the comitia curiata was a legislative gathering where laws were passed. This shows how curia was used to describe a specific type of meeting. - During the Middle Ages, the king's curia was a group of people who advised him on important matters. This illustrates how curia was used to describe a gathering of people who provided counsel to a ruler. - Today, the Roman Curia is the administrative body of the Catholic Church, responsible for carrying out the Pope's duties. This demonstrates how curia is now mostly associated with the papal court and its officials. Overall, curia is a word that has evolved over time and has been used to describe different types of gatherings and institutions.