Legal Definitions - majestas

Definition: Majestas is a Latin word that means "supreme power." In Roman law, it refers to the sovereign authority or supreme prerogative of the state or ruler. It can also refer to the crime of treason.

Examples:

• When Julius Caesar became the emperor of Rome, he had majestas, which means he had supreme power over the people.
• If someone committed a crime against the emperor, such as plotting to overthrow him, they would be charged with majestas, or treason.

The examples illustrate how majestas was used in Roman law to describe the supreme power of the ruler and the crime of treason against that ruler. It was an important concept in Roman society, as it helped to maintain order and stability by punishing those who threatened the authority of the state or ruler.