«Meum esse» e «ius Quiritium». Logica, effetti e implicazioni

In the expression ex iure Quiritium meum esse, the i.Q. appears as the founding element of the meum esse, which legitimises its affirmation within the community and which at the same time qualifies it. The i.Q. seems at the same time to establish, legitimise and qualify the meum esse, thus indicating the “type” and “strength” of belonging, linked to the potestative position of the Roman pater familias. Before Gaius’ treatment of duplex dominium, the expression e.i.Q. occurs infrequently in the sources. However, the discussion of duplex dominium and the problems that the divisio of the dominium created, particularly with regard to the ownership of slaves, led Gaius and the author of Tit. ex corp. Ulp. to frequently use the expression e.i.Q. alongside dominus to distinguish between those who were e.i.Q. and those who were in bonis habens. The phrase e.i.Q. was a “new use”, but not a “new meaning”. Furthermore, i.Q. is often considered synonymous with civitas Romana, but the testimony of Pliny the Younger, which mentions cases of i.Q. being conceded to the Latini Iuniani, is fundamental in establishing that i.Q. and civitas Romana are two concepts that are connected but distinct.