La convention judiciaire dans le traité conclu entre Rome et les Lyciens (P.Schøyen I 25)

Abstract

The judicial convention appearing in the treaty concluded in 46 A.D. between Rome and the Lycians aims to determine the place of jurisdiction for all criminal and civil suits in which Lycians and Roman citizens were engaged in disputes within Lycian territory. This convention was not established on an equal footing between the two parties. When they were accused or defended themselves, Roman citizens had the privilege of being handed over to Rome or to the tribunal of a provincial governor in order to be judged according to their own laws. On the other hand, the Lycians did not obtain any specific privilege. Being free and autonomous allies, they only have confirmed the fundamental right to be heard amongst themselves when they were sued by a Roman citizen – a right which presumably was regularly treated with contempt. This convention could have been requested by the Lycians themselves in order to establish a judicial procedure which was acceptable for both parties in such litigation as set them in opposition to those Roman citizens who lived amongst them.