The Roman Document that Defined a First in Civil and Human Rights
The Constitutio Antoniniana, also named Edict of Caracalla, gave citizenship to people from different backgrounds on three continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia) in the 3rd century.
Emperor Caracalla as sole ruler (AD 212–217) by UnknownAltes Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Constitutio Antoniniana
On July 11 AD 212 Emperor Caracalla declared that all free men in the Roman Empire were given full Roman citizenship and all free women were given the same rights as Roman women, except the deditici, and united Roman society by issuing the Constitutio Antoniniana.
Constitutio Antoniniana (3rd century) by Emperor CaracallaUNESCO Memory of the World
Importance of the Constitutio Antoniniana
The Constitutio Antoniniana , also known the Antonine Constitution or Edict of Caracalla, established unitary citizenship for the first time in an area that included millions of people from different cultural backgrounds on three continents: Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Medallion with Roman Emperor Caracalla (ca. 215-243 (Imperial Roman)) by RomanThe Walters Art Museum
Its Importance Reached Beyond Europe
In contrast to many other civil rights concessions in history, the measure was not oriented towards a specific European center nor was it based upon a national constitution. People kept their current status, including existing civil rights and local legal traditions.
Bronze coin of Caracalla with Christian graffiti (214/217)British Museum
Civil Rights and Civic Membership in Global Networks
It thus forms a unique historical reference point when it comes to the question of civil rights and civic membership in transnational and global networks. In this sense, it serves to establish civic identity far beyond the borders of Europe.
Constitutio Antoniniana (3rd century) by Emperor CaracallaUNESCO Memory of the World
Historically Important Documents of Civil and Human Rights
The Edict is the first in a series of world-historically important documents of civil and human rights and constitutional history including the Magna Charta (1215), ), the Golden Bull of Emperor Charles IV (1356), and the Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen of 1789.
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