La déclaration d'hostis sous la République romaine

At the end of the Roman Republic the hostis-declaration was a legal procedure that was used during civil wars and in case of plots. It consisted in making political opponents out to be outside enemies of Rome, i.e. hostis. This measure was invented by Sylla in 88 BC and regularly introduced during the last century of the Republic between 88 and 40 BC. We can distinguish three main periods. A first range of declarations has got a direct link with the first civil war and its aftermath. Then, the declaration is used by Cicero against Catilina and his right-hand men in 63 BC. Eventually, with Caesar and up to the war of Perugia it becomes an habit in political business.

This study is about how this scheme was implemented. Which grounds were considered by the politicians who chose this kind of action? Our analysis focuses on the procedure itself and its consequences for the victims, the so-called hostes.