Civic Crown

Augustus wearing the oak-leaf civic crown, c. 20 BC, found at the Roman villa of Chiragan (Glyptothek, Munich)

The Civic Crown (Latin: corona civica) was a military decoration during the Roman Republic and the subsequent Roman Empire, given to Romans who saved the lives of fellow citizens. It was regarded as the second highest decoration to which a citizen could aspire (the Grass Crown being held in higher regard). It took the form of a chaplet of common oak leaves woven to form a crown. It was reserved for Roman citizens who saved the lives of fellow citizens by slaying an enemy on a spot held by the enemy that same day. The citizen saved must admit it; no one else could be a witness.[1]

  1. ^ Pliny (1986). "Book 16, Section 5". Natural History. The Loeb Classical Library (in Latin and English). Vol. 4. H. Rackham (trans.).

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