Legal Definitions - res sanctae

Definition: Res sanctae (rays sangk-tee), n. pl. Latin for "sacred things." In Roman law, it refers to the walls of a city. The Romans considered the maintenance of city walls so important that damage to a city's walls was a capital offense.

Example: The city of Rome had res sanctae, which meant that the walls of the city were considered sacred and protected by law. Anyone who damaged the walls would be punished severely, even with the death penalty.

Explanation: The example illustrates how the Romans viewed the importance of city walls. They believed that the walls were not just physical barriers but also represented the safety and security of the city. Therefore, any damage to the walls was seen as a threat to the city's well-being and was punished severely. This law helped to ensure that the city walls were always maintained and kept in good condition.