Homo sacer facts for kids

Homo sacer is a Latin phrase from Roman law. It means "sacred man" or "accursed man." It describes someone who has been banished, meaning they are forced to leave their community or country. This person could be killed by anyone, but not as part of a religious sacrifice. The Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben wrote about this idea in his book Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life. He explained that a "homo sacer" lives a "bare life," meaning they are an outcast from society with very few rights.

What Does Homo Sacer Mean?

The idea of homo sacer comes from ancient Rome. It was a special legal term for someone who had broken a very serious rule or oath. Because of this, they lost their normal place in society. They were no longer protected by the laws that usually keep people safe. This made them very vulnerable.

How Someone Becomes Homo Sacer

Someone could become a homo sacer by breaking an important legal agreement or promise. For example, in ancient times, if a person broke a sacred oath, they might be declared homo sacer. In modern times, some people have compared the situation of those who cross borders without official permission to the idea of homo sacer. They might feel separated from society. Shahram Khosravi, in his book Illegal Traveller, discusses how people forced to leave their homes to find a better life can feel like outcasts. This can lead to a strong feeling of being alone and disconnected from others.

What Happens to Homo Sacer?

When someone was declared homo sacer, they became an outlaw. This meant they had no civil rights, which are the basic rights and freedoms that citizens usually have. They also lost the protection of the state or government. Because they had no legal protection, they were often treated unfairly. They could be harmed by others without the attackers facing punishment. This made their lives very difficult and dangerous, as they were outside the normal rules of society.

See also

In Spanish: Sacer para niños