The Twelve Laws of Rome

Indices Duodecim

The Roman Empire has a small number of "public laws" -- these are laws that all residents (citizen and non-citizen) must obey within the Empire. Violation of any public law is considered a crime against the people, and will result in criminal charges being brought. Other legal issues are considered civil (citizen vs. citizen) and are subject to less severe punishments. Any character accused of violating public law will stand trial, and be appropriately punished if convicted.
There are a total of twelve public laws "on the books" throughout the Empire, called Indices Duodecim in Latin, which translates into "The Twelve Tables" (or "the index of twelve laws"). Additionally, there may be local laws that apply only in a particular places (such as the capital). The Empire-wide laws are listed below.
Petty theft - Unlawful taking of low-value items belonging to another is considered "petty" theft. For practical purposes, an item or items valued at less than 100 aurei (gp) would be considered low-value. Note: 100 gp of total net worth is considered "poor" in Rome, so this means that stealing every worldly possession of a pauper would be petty theft. Punishment for petty theft ranges from a fine to flogging, depending on the social class of the convict.
Grand theft - Unlawful taking of high-value items is considered "grand" theft. For practical purposes, any item valued at more than 100 aurei (gp) is considered "high value." The punishment upon conviction is death for non-citizens, and exile for citizens.
Trespassing - Entering a house or establishment against the will of the owner, or without the knowledge of the owner, is illegal. Any character convicted of criminal trespassing will either be fined or flogged, depending on the social class of the convict.
Unlawful public use of magic - The arcane arts are legal in Rome, provided they are not used in the public square without permission. Private casting (e.g., in the home) and casting spells outside the city limits is legal, as is casting spells with government sanction (e.g., an illusionist during a parade; a wizard working with the garrison to capture a criminal). However, spell-casting by a regular citizen is not permitted within city/town limits on public streets, in public squares, in public fora, or other places frequented by the general populace. The exception is self defense or otherwise "exigent circumstances" (which are not rigidly defined, but up to the magistrate to determine). Those convicted of violating this law may be subject to fine, house arrest, or flogging depending on the social class.
Use of magic in the commission of a crime - Using spells to assist in breaking other laws (such as trespassing or theft) bears the same attitude in Rome as using a gun in the commission of a crime bears in the United States in the present day: using magic to do something bad makes the act worse. This is because magic can do so much more damage and make one so much more effective than using non-spell-based means of operation. Consequently, using magic to assist in breaking the law is a serious infraction and caries heavy penalties -- either exile (for full citizens) or death (for everyone else).
Unlawful assembly - Roman citizens are not permitted to hold public meetings without government permission. This law exists because the Roman government fears rebellion and subversion. All public assemblies must be officiated a government representative, such as a senator or a member of the town's Assembly. Public gatherings formed without such officiation are strictly prohibited. Guilds are considered "assemblies" for this purpose and require government sanction to legally operate. Membership in a guild that is not sanctioned by the government is illegal. (And because theft is illegal, this makes all Thieves' Guilds, Assassin's Guilds, etc., highly illegal). Punishment for unlawful assembly is exile or death.
Sacrilege - Purposely displeasing the gods and bringing down their wrath upon the Empire is strictly prohibited. Any character caught desecrating a temple or defiling/damaging a religious artifact (such as a blessed holy symbol) is guilty of violating this law. Convicts will, depending on social class, either be exiled or put to death.
Treason - Betraying the Empire to another power or inciting rebellion against the Empire is treasonous and carries the death penalty. Patricians may request exile instead of death -- members of any other social class are automatically executed.
Military desertion - All soldiers are required to serve for the amount of time determined by the terms of their enlistment in the army. Any soldier who deserts his post is put to death. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Unlawful torture of a Roman citizen - All Roman citizens and Freedmen are held free from torture. Anyone (other than a law enforcement official handing out a criminal punishment) caught torturing a Roman citizen or Freedmen is exiled (Patricians) or put to death (everyone else).
Murder of a non-citizen - Murdering non-citizens within the Empire's borders is strictly forbidden. The penalty for doing so is either exile or death, depending on social class.
Murder of a Roman - Murder of a Roman citizen is, other than treason, perhaps the most serious crime one can commit. Conviction carries the automatic penalty of death, regardless of social class.