Lex Appuleia de maiestate
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The lex Appuleia de maiestate was a Roman law introduced by Lucius Appuleius Saturninus, passed during one of his two tribunates, either 103 BC or 100 BC.[1][2] The exact provisions are unknown, but it attempted to protect the sovereignty of the Roman people as represented by the tribunate.[3] It apparently punished incompetent military commanders.[1]
The law established the permanent criminal court in Rome, a quaestio maiestas, to deal with crimes against the Roman people: treason. The juries in this court consisted of equestrians.[4] The law established maiestas as a separate crime from perduellio.[5]