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The Digest of Justinian

§4.5.11.pr

Definition and Three Degrees of Capitis Deminutio

Paulus defines the three kinds of status loss (capitis deminutio)—greatest, minor, and least—based on which of the three elements (freedom, citizenship, or family) are lost or changed.

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[PAULUS libro secundo ad Sabinum.]

[PAULUS libro secundo ad Sabinum.]

§4.5.11.pr

​Capitis deminutionis tria genera sunt, maxima media minima: tria enim sunt quae habemus, libertatem ciuitatem familiam.1 igitur cum omnia haec amittimus, hoc est libertatem et ciuitatem et familiam, maximam esse capitis deminutionem:2 cum uero amittimus ciuitatem, libertatem retinemus, mediam esse capitis deminutionem: cum et libertas et ciuitas retinetur, familia tantum mutatur, minimam esse capitis deminutionem constat.

​There are three kinds of status loss: greatest, minor, and least. For there are three things that we have: freedom, citizenship, and family. Therefore, when we lose all of these, that is, freedom, citizenship, and family, it is established that this is the greatest status loss; but when we lose citizenship and retain freedom, it is the minor status loss; and when both freedom and citizenship are retained, and only family is changed, it is the least status loss.

Syntax notes2 items
  1. 4.5.11.prlibertatem ciuitatem familiam

    Nouns in the accusative case placed in apposition to 'tria' or the relative clause 'quae habemus' (the things we have), or functions as the direct objects of 'habemus'.

  2. 4.5.11.prmaximam esse capitis deminutionem

    An accusative with infinitive clause. The impersonal verb 'constat' (it is established) at the very end of the sentence governs all three preceding accusative with infinitive clauses (maximam esse..., mediam esse..., and minimam esse...), with 'constat' being elliptical in the first two clauses.

Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-07-12)urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:4.5.11.pr