Roman Bonus Vir: From Trustworthy Person to Decision-making Model

Speaker : Remus Valsan, a student member of the QRCPCL

Abstract : The epithet bonus vir ('upright man') was used to characterize a Roman citizen who stood out as a model of trustworthiness (fides). To be considered a bonus vir, one had to display a remarkable fides, consisting in repeated displays of wisdom (prudentia or sapientia) and justice (iustitia) and safeguarded by the absence of any suspicion of fraud or deceit.

Embodiments of trustworthiness, the upright men were often appealed to by ordinary people in various circumstances in which they needed protection, justice, or reliable decision-making. Thus, boni viri became esteemed arbiters, who were trusted to give equitable and just decisions in extra-judicial settlements of conflicts.

The next step in the evolution of the profile of bonus vir was the transformation from a concrete trustworthy person into an abstract standard of judgment that was expected from a person in a position to decide for someone else. Justinian's Digest provides numerous instances where a person in the position to exercise discretion over someone else's interests was called to decide as a bonus vir would do.

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