Adsignare libertum: contributo agli studi sulla configurazione del diritto di patronato

The adsignatio libertorum seems to be introduced ex senatus consulto (the so called Ostorianum) during Claudius's reign ("claudianis temporibus"), while Suillius Rufus and Ostorius Scapula were holding the consulship (41 or maybe 45 a. D.). Through it, the paterfamilias can transfer the whole body of iura patronatus to one among his sons, leaving out all the others. The adsignatio shows the peculiarity of a personal beneficium. In fact, it can be used una tantum only by the patronus manumissor who fears, if sentenced for a crimen capitalis, the capitis deminutio media signified by the expression "in civitate esse desinere" which can be read in the senatus consultum. In doing so, he can avoid, for himself and for his offspring, the otherwise automatic extinction of patronatus, as a result of the dissolution of the agnatic bond due to amissio civitatis.