Individual Rights in the Empire

The rights of an individual character depend upon their status within the Empire. In general, the main difference occurs between citizens (Cives Romani) and non-citizen classes. However, even among the citizens there are certain differences. There are eight legal rights recognized in the Empire, as follows:

1. The right to hold senate office is possessed only by those who are eligible to vote in senatorial elections -- i.e., Patricians.
2. The right to vote in local assemblies is held by all Roman citizens.
3. The right to hold office in local assemblies is held by Plebians. The Paupers, and non-citizens, may not hold office. Patricians may only hold senatorial offices.
4. The right to marry a Roman citizen is held by all Roman citizens and Freedmen/women, and no restrictions exist on inter-class marrying. Consequently, a Freedman could marry a Patrician. This would not change the person's status as a Freedman. Provincials, Peregrines, and Slaves may not marry Roman citizens, although non-slaves may marry each other. Since Freedmen are not technically citizens, a Freedman may marry a Provincial or a Peregrine without restriction.
5. The right to own land is granted to all residents of the Empire, including citizens, Freedmen, and Provincials. Slaves and foreigners (Peregrines) may not own land inside the Empire.
6. The right to a legal trial is held by all residents and visitors to the empire, excepting only slaves, who are the property of their owners. Slave discipline is generally carried out by the owner, unless the slave somehow engages in a public act of criminality.
7. The freedom from being tortured is held by all Roman citizens and Freedmen. These individuals may not be punished by means of torture (although execution is not considered torture) -- they will usually be fined, exiled, or placed under house arrest instead. Provincials, Peregrines (foreigners), and Slaves do not have this right and may be tortured (flogged) if found guilty of violating certain laws.