civitas Definition
- 1a community of citizens regarded as a corporate entity, especially in ancient Rome
- 2a city or town, especially one with its own municipal government
Using civitas: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "civitas" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The civitas of ancient Rome was a complex system of governance.
Example
The civitas of Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Example
The civitas of London is governed by the Greater London Authority.
Example
The civitas of New York City is divided into five boroughs.
civitas Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for civitas
Phrases with civitas
a term used to describe the status of a city in ancient Rome that did not have the right to vote in the Roman assemblies
Example
The civitas sine suffragio was a common status for cities conquered by Rome.
civitas foederata
a term used to describe the status of a city in ancient Rome that was granted autonomy and the ability to govern itself, while still being allied with Rome
Example
The civitas foederata was a status granted to some cities in Italy during the Roman Republic.
civitas capitalina
a term used to describe the status of a city in ancient Rome that was granted the same rights and privileges as Rome itself
Example
The civitas capitalina was a rare status granted to a few select cities in the Roman Empire.
Origins of civitas
from Latin 'civitas', meaning 'citizenship, community of citizens'
Summary: civitas in Brief
The term 'civitas' [siːˈvɪtəs] refers to a community of citizens or a city, especially one with its own municipal government. It has its roots in ancient Rome, where it described a complex system of governance. Examples of its use include 'The civitas of London is governed by the Greater London Authority.' and 'The civitas of Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.'
