Adoption of Augustus by Caesar - a political adoption by will?
- Autores: Salvador Ruiz Pino
- Localización: Ius romanum, ISSN-e 2367-7007, Nº. 1, 2015, págs. 244-255
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
Upon his return from Spain, on September 13th 45 BC, Caesar made his will, announcing the adoption in familiam nomenque of Gaius Octavianus. Caesar died on March 15th 44 BC. On that date Octavian did not even know that he was declared the heir and was adopted by his great patron and relative. When they informed him of Caesar's death, Octavian did not listen to prudent councils, and made a decision to accept the will before the praetor Gaius Antonius, from whom he wanted to be voted the lex curiata to allow him to enter into the family of Julia (gens Julia) as legal son of the testator. The law was passed on 22th September 44 BC.
The history of the great Roman families of the Scipions, the Fabians, the Caesars is a history of political adoptions. Nevertheless while maintaining the supremacy of the agnan family by adoptions, the institute of the adrogation (the adoption of adult sui iuris persons) evolved from the time of Classical law and practically disappeared into Justinian's law. This type of adoption corresponds to certain political, social and economic needs and is far removed from building pure parenting relationships between adoptive parents.
