Human rights in ancient Rome / Richard A. Bauman. [print]

1. Introduction Homo sum: humani nihil a me alienum puto The meaning of human rights Questions of terminology The enforcement of human rights Structure and scope Evaluation.

2. Human rights: the Greek experience Preamble: the meaning of philanthropia Philanthropia: the Athenian model Philanthropia: the defining moments The Hellenistic period Evaluation.

3. Humanitas Romana Preamble: the meanings of humanitas The concept of humanitas Romana Humanitas Romana: a first appraisal The role of Panaetius The debut of the word 'humanitas' -- Humanus: Terence and universalism Evaluation.

4. Human rights prior to Humanitas Romana Preamble Early Rome: ius humanum The Scipionic age: humanitas and maiestas The Scipionic age: philanthropia The Scipionic age: domestic humanitas Primacy in humanitas: vival contenders Evaluation.

5. Human rights in the Late Republic: Cicero Preamble Cicero and universalism Humanitas and punishment: the death sentence Huanitas and punishment: exile Humanitas and the law Evaluation.

6. Human rights in the Late Republic: curbs on ill-treatment Preamble Maiestas, morality and humanitas Curbs on rapacity: early attempts Statutory relief for non-Romans: the lex Calpurnia The problem of mass enslavement Additional statutory relief: repetundae and maiestas Evaluation.

7. The new image of Humanitas: part one Preamble Humanitas and clementia: Augustus and Tiberius Humanitas and clementia: Seneca Humanitas and clementia: Flavians, Antonines, Severans Clementia Caesaris: Julius Caesar Clementia Caesaris: Augustus and Tiberius Clementia Caesaris: Seneca and Nero Clementia Caesaris: Domitian to Alexander Evaluation.

8. The new image of Humanitas: part two Curbs on rapacity: jurisdiction Curbs on rapacity: some cases Universalism: the merits Universalism: the demerits Freedom of speech Social welfare: the aliments.

9. Man's inhumanity to man Preamble Genocide Slavery Racial prejudice Death at the games.

10. Conclusion.

The work is cast in chronological form, covering the Roman Republic and Principate. For the Republic the main thrust is from the late third century BC to the era of Cicero and Caesar. The Principate is covered from its inception to AD 235 with the main emphasis on the period from Augustus to Marcus Aurelius. The Republican and imperial phases are treated separately, corresponding to what are in some respects significant differences between the liberal, easygoing climate of the former and the more carefully tailored, professional ambience of the latter. One of the by-product of the investigation has been the updating of some of the writer's findings on maiestas.

This unique and stimulating book investigates the concept of human rights in the Roman world. The author argues that on the theoretical side, thinkers such as Cicero and Seneca developed ideas and, on the pragmatic side, practical applications were forwarded mainly through law. Bauman presents a comprehensive analysis of human rights in ancient Rome and offers enlightening comparisons between the Roman and twentieth century understanding of human rights. -- Publisher description.

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