Constitutio Antoniniana facts for kids
The Constitutio Antoniniana (pronounced Kon-stih-TOO-tee-oh An-toh-nih-nee-AH-nah) was a very important rule made in the year 212 AD. It is also known as the Edict of Caracalla or the Antonine Constitution. An edict is like a special law or order given by a ruler. This edict was issued by the Roman Emperor Caracalla.
What did this edict do? It said that almost all free men living in the huge Roman Empire would become full Roman citizens. This also meant that free women in the Empire would get similar rights to Roman women.
Before this edict, Roman citizenship was quite special. Not everyone had it. Many people living in the different parts of the Roman Empire were not full citizens. They might have had "Latin rights", which were fewer rights than full citizens. Becoming a Roman citizen was something many people wanted. Soldiers who finished their service in the Auxilia (helper army units) were also given citizenship.
After the edict, a huge number of new citizens chose the name Aurelius. They did this to honor Emperor Caracalla, whose full name was Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. This name became very common. In fact, several later emperors also used the name Marcus Aurelius.
What Was Roman Citizenship?
Being a Roman citizen meant you had special rights and protections. You could vote in some elections, own land, and have a say in legal matters. It was a big deal to be a citizen in the Roman Empire. Before the Edict of Caracalla, citizenship was often given to people who lived in Rome or had served in the Roman army. Over time, it became more common, but not everyone had it.
Why Was This Edict Important?
The Edict of Caracalla changed the Roman Empire forever. It made millions of people into citizens overnight. This was a huge step towards making everyone in the empire feel more connected. It helped to unite the many different groups of people living under Roman rule.
Impact on the Empire
This edict had several effects. It helped to increase the number of people who had to pay certain taxes. It also meant more people could serve in the Roman army. By giving more people citizenship, Caracalla hoped to make the empire stronger and more unified. It changed how people thought about being Roman.
See also
- Constitution (Roman law)
- Peregrinus (Roman)
