How Do You Spell CENTUMVIRAL?
Pronunciation: [sˈɛntəmvˌɜːɹə͡l] (IPA) 
Pronunciation: [sˈɛntəmvˌɜːɹə͡l] (IPA)
Centumviral is an adjective that refers to a legal or administrative system of ancient Rome wherein a council comprising 100 judges or magistrates made important decisions regarding civil or criminal matters. The term 'centumviral' is derived from the Latin word 'centumviri' meaning "one hundred men."
In the Roman republic and early empire, the centumviral court was responsible for handling various legal issues, including matters related to property, inheritance, marriage, and guardianship. These magistrates were chosen from the most influential and prestigious families, as their decisions had a significant impact on Roman society. The centumviral court was established to ensure fair and equitable administration of justice, as well as to provide a system of checks and balances.
The centumviral judges, known as centumviri, would hear cases and render verdicts through majority vote. However, in certain instances, a unanimous decision was required. These judges possessed extensive legal knowledge and were renowned for their expertise in interpreting Roman law.
Furthermore, the centumviral court had the authority to deliver judgments that were legally binding and enforceable. Their decisions could be appealed to higher courts or subjected to a final ruling by the praetor, if necessary. The centumviral system played a vital role in maintaining social order and upholding the rule of law in ancient Rome.
The word "Centumviral" is a compound word formed from two Latin terms "centum" and "viri".
The term "centum" in Latin means "one hundred". It originally comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "ḱm̥tóm" which means "hundred". This root reflects the common ancestor of many Indo-European languages.
The term "viri" in Latin is the plural form of "vir", which means "man" or "husband".
Combining the two, "Centumviral" refers to something related to or connected with a group of one hundred men. This term specifically refers to the ancient Roman judiciary organization called the "centumviri" (or "Centumviral court"), which consisted of a council of one hundred members who dealt with civil law matters.
