AUGUSTUS’ MARITAL LEGISLATION

Abstract

This paper examines the marriage and inheritance laws introduced by Octavian Augustus as part of his broader efforts to reinforce traditional Roman values following the collapse of the Republic and the establishment of the Principate. The study focuses on the lex Iulia de maritandis ordinibus and lex Papia Poppaea, which were designed to encourage marriage and procreation among the Roman elite while discouraging celibacy and childlessness through legal incentives and penalties. These laws were a response to concerns over declining birth rates, changing social norms, and perceived moral decay that had intensified during the late Republic. The paper explores the historical and political context in which these laws were enacted, their key provisions, and the mechanisms used to enforce them. It also delves into the broader social and economic impact of these measures, particularly their effects on the Roman aristocracy and the overall structure of Roman society. While Augustus framed these reforms as a return to traditional values, they often conflicted with the realities of Roman life and met resistance from the very elites they were meant to regulate. Ultimately, this paper analyzes why these laws, despite their ambitious objectives, failed to produce lasting change and were met with significant opposition. It also considers their long-term consequences for Roman legal and social structures, shedding light on how Augustus’ legislative efforts shaped the evolution of imperial governance and societal norms in the centuries that followed.