Legal Definitions - praemium pudicitiae

Definition: Praemium pudicitiae (pronounced pree-mee-uhm pyoo-dih-sish-ee-ee) is a Latin term that means "the price of chastity." It refers to the compensation paid by a man who seduced a chaste woman.

Example: In ancient Rome, if a man seduced a woman who was known for her chastity, he was required to pay praemium pudicitiae to her father or husband as compensation for the damage he had caused to her reputation. This compensation was meant to restore the woman's honor and protect her future prospects for marriage.

Explanation: The example illustrates how praemium pudicitiae was used in ancient Rome to protect the reputation and honor of chaste women. It shows how the compensation paid by the seducer was seen as a way to restore the woman's honor and protect her future prospects for marriage. This practice was an important part of Roman society and helped to maintain the social order by discouraging men from seducing women who were known for their chastity.