In ancient Roman culture, infamia (in-, "not", and fama, "reputation") was a loss of legal or social standing. Infamia, a Roman legal term, excluded Roman citizens from legal protections. This official exclusion was imposed by a censor or praetor.[1] During the Republic and Principate, infamia damaged one's esteem or reputation. A person who suffered infamia was an infamis (plural infames).

Infamia was an "inescapable consequence" for certain professionals, including undertakers, executioners, prostitutes and pimps, entertainers such as actors and dancers, and gladiators.[2][3] Two jurists of the later Imperial era argue against the "infamous" status of charioteers, on the grounds that athletic competitions were not mere entertainment but "seem useful" as instructive displays of Roman strength and virtus.[4] Infames could not, for instance, provide testimony in a court of law. They were liable to corporal punishment, which was usually reserved for slaves.[5] The infamia of entertainers did not exclude them from socializing among the Roman elite, and entertainers who were "stars", both men and women, sometimes became the lovers of such high-profile figures as Mark Antony and the dictator Sulla.

A passive homosexual who was "outed" might also be subject to social infamia, although if he were a citizen he might retain his legal standing.[6][7]

Infamy

The modern Roman Catholic Church has a similar concept called infamy.

See also

References

  1. ↑ McGinn, Thomas A. J. (1998). Prostitution, Sexuality and the Law in Ancient Rome. Oxford University Press. p. 65ff.
  2. ↑ Edwards, Catharine (1997). Unspeakable Professions Public Performance and Prostitution in Ancient Rome. Princeton University Press. p. 67. ISBN 9780691011783.
  3. ↑ Bond, Sarah (2017). Trade and Taboo. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press. doi:10.3998/mpub.9934045. ISBN 978-0-472-00361-7.
  4. ↑ Bell, Sinclair W., "Roman Chariot-Racing: Charioteers, Factions, Spectators", in P. Christesen and D. Kyle (Editors), Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Sport and Spectacle in Greek and Roman Antiquity, January 2014, pp. 492–504, citing Ulpian, Digest, 3. 2. 4, doi:10.1002/9781118609965.ch33
  5. ↑ Edwards, Catharine (1997). Unspeakable Professions Public Performance and Prostitution in Ancient Rome. Princeton University Press. p. 73. ISBN 9780691011783.
  6. ↑ Richlin, Amy (1993). "Not before Homosexuality: The Materiality of the cinaedus and the Roman Law against Love between Men". Journal of the History of Sexuality. Vol. 3, no. 4. pp. 550–551, 555ff.
  7. ↑ Edwards, Catharine (1997). Unspeakable Professions Public Performance and Prostitution in Ancient Rome. Princeton University Press. p. 68. ISBN 9780691011783.
  • Smith D.C.L., LL.D, William (1875). "Infamia". A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities. London: John Murray. pp. 634‑636.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)


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