Leges Rupiliae

Leges Rupiliae These are not leges proper, but regulations for the organisation of Sicily, comprised in a decretum issued by P. Rupilius, its proconsul (B.C. 131), in accordance with instructions given him by tie ten legati sent by the senate, as was usual (Liv. 45.17; Appian, Iber. 99, Pun. 135; Sall. Jugurtha, 16) when the organisation of a province was being settled (Cic. in Verr. 2.13, 16, 40; Pseudo-Ascon. p. 212: cf. V. Max. 6.9, 8). There is frequent mention in Cicero's second speech against Verres of the regulations (leges) of Rupilius in respect of the Sicilian judicial procedure, e. g. one by which he there established the supposed principle of the Lex Pinaria, requiring an interval of thirty days between the proceedings in jure and the appointment of a judex (cap. 15). Other leges of the same person, relating to the co-optation of the senate of Heraclia, where he had established a colony, are mentioned in Verr. 2.50, 125; and as to res frumentaria, in Verr. 3.40, 91. (See Marquardt, Röm. Staatsverwaltung, i. p. 341.)