An Irrigation Decree from Roman Spain: The <i>Lex Rivi Hiberiensis</i>

Abstract

The article presents an edition of and commentary on a Latin bronze inscription (152 lines long) from the time of Hadrian, found at Agón, near Caesaraugusta (Zaragoza), in ancient Hispania Citerior. The inscription contains a set of regulations ( lex riui Hiberiensis ) governing an irrigation community consisting of rural districts ( pagi ) from two different cities (Caesaraugusta and Cascantum) which shared a canal, the riuus Hiberiensis . The lex was produced in accordance with an agreement of the pagani after the intervention of the provincial governor [—Fun]ndanus Augustanus Alpinus. It provides information about the pagus institutions ( magistri pagi, concilium, curatores, publicani ?) as well as procedural aspects such as iusiurandum, uadimonium , and judicial formulae.