coemptio
Roman law
Quick Summary
In Roman law, coemptio was a ceremony that symbolized a woman's sale to a man, bringing her under his legal authority, known as manus. This could occur in two main ways:1
- Coemptio matrimoni causa: This was a form of plebeian marriage where the woman came under her husband's manus.1
- Coemptio fiduciae causa: This was a fictitious sale used by a woman to change her guardian or gain the legal capacity to make a will.12
Essentially, coemptio was a legal mechanism that allowed for the transfer of a woman's legal guardianship or to establish her legal standing within Roman society.12
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