noun
- property or money that a slave or child was allowed to hold and manage in ancient Roman law
Usage: historical; legal
Examples
- The slave accumulated a substantial peculium through his business dealings.
- Roman law permitted slaves to own a peculium with their master’s consent.
- She studied how the peculium system functioned in ancient Rome.
- The peculium could include money, goods, or even other slaves.
- Legal scholars debate the significance of peculium in Roman society.
- His peculium was large enough to eventually purchase his freedom.