Spurii: The Legal Status of Illegitimate Children in Roman Law

Definition & Meaning

The term "spurii" refers to children who are born out of wedlock, specifically those whose mothers are prostitutes. In Roman law, there was a distinction between illegitimate children based on the mother's status. Children born to a concubine were known as "naturales" and had certain rights, including the right to financial support from their fathers. In contrast, spurii had no legal rights to inheritance or support from their fathers.

Table of content

Real-world examples

Here are a couple of examples of abatement:

Example 1: A child born to a woman who works as a prostitute would be classified as spurii under Roman law. This child would not have any legal claims to their father's estate or financial support.

(Hypothetical example) Example 2: If a man acknowledges a child born to a concubine, that child would be considered naturales and entitled to support, unlike a spurii child.

Comparison with related terms

Term Definition Legal Rights
Spurii Illegitimate children born of a prostitute. No rights to inheritance or support.
Naturales Illegitimate children born of a concubine. Entitled to support and certain inheritance rights.

What to do if this term applies to you

If you believe that the status of a child as spurii might affect legal matters such as inheritance or support, consider consulting a legal professional for guidance. Additionally, you can explore US Legal Forms for templates related to family law that may assist you in addressing these issues.

Quick facts

  • Term: Spurii
  • Legal Status: Illegitimate child
  • Rights: No inheritance or support rights
  • Historical Context: Roman law

Key takeaways

Frequently asked questions

Spurii are illegitimate children born of a prostitute, while naturales are those born of a concubine and have certain legal rights.