DIRITTO E SOCIETÀ DEI SABINI NELLE FONTI LETTERARIE. ALCUNE OSSERVAZIONI PRELIMINARI

Abstract

The present paper aims to analyse some aspects of Sabine society and its institutions. The Greek and Latin
sources describe the Sabines as a people marked by their parsimony, sobriety and in tune with the rhythm of
their rural lifestyle. Indeed, it is notable that a number of leges in the sacred law, relating to these very values,
were introduced by King Numa. Examples of these include the lex de piscibus and lex de rogum vino ne respargendo.
With regard to moral conduct, men are described as strict and serious, women as pure and hard-working.
However, being much more independent than Roman women, Sabine women are reported as descending directly
from the Sabinae raptae, who played an important role in the foundation of the Roman-Sabine civilisation.
Furthermore, it seems that some powerful exponents of the most influential gentes were Sabins and, with their
reforms, they paved the way for the union between the Romans and the Sabines. Finally, this paper examines
some of the leges attributed to Numa, which aimed at keeping social order by protecting familiae and gentes.