Peculātus
The Roman term for misappropriation of public property, whether by officials (e. g. in the
delivery of booty) or by private persons. Such offences, which seldom occurred in the more
ancient times of the Republic, were then judged by the national tribunal. In later times they
must have become more frequent, since various laws were issued against them, and a special
court of justice (see
Quaestio) was appointed to
try them. Besides the payment of compensation, the condemned person suffered disgrace and
banishment (
interdictio aquae et ignis, see
Exsilium), and, in the time of the Empire, transportation. See
Deportatio.