Legal Definitions - pueritia

Term: Pueritia
Definition: Pueritia is a Latin term used in Roman law to refer to childhood, specifically the period of time up to the age of 17. During this time, children were not allowed to plead before a magistrate. This term is often used in legal contexts to refer to the period of time when a person is considered a minor.
Examples: - In ancient Rome, a child was considered to be in pueritia until they reached the age of 17. - The legal system in many countries today still considers individuals under the age of 18 to be in pueritia, and therefore not fully responsible for their actions.
Explanation: The examples illustrate how pueritia is used to refer to the period of time when a person is considered a minor. In ancient Rome, this was up to the age of 17, while in many countries today it is up to the age of 18. The term is used in legal contexts to distinguish between minors and adults, as minors are not held fully responsible for their actions.