Talk:Senatus consultum regarding Appius Claudius Priscus MMDCCLIX (Nova Roma)
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Commentary
"Inimicus"
As Ti. Galerius indicated in his speech in the Senate, there is no Roman precedent for a declaration of an individual as inimicus populi Romani. Indeed the Latin word "inimicus" normally signifies a personal rivalry between two individuals; the usual term for an enemy of the republic is "hostis", but this was only used of enemies under arms.
There is no precedent for a declaration of this kind against a Roman citizen who was neither in armed rebellion nor expected to rebel imminently.
It is therefore far from clear what legal effect, if any, the Senate intended this designation to have. The most likely interpretation is that no legal effect was intended and the declaration was intended to have purely symbolic value.
