Legitimation

The act of givhig the character of legitimate children to those who were not so born. This was formerly effected (1) By subsequent marriage of the parents, Hunter, Introd. Rom. Law, 29, introduced by Co Bstantine (A. D. 335), abrogated by Zeno (A. D. 476), and revived and amiilified by Justinian (A. D. 529). (2) By offering the natural child to the curia (per oblationem curiae); making a son a decurio, or a member of the class that furnished the magistrates in provincial towns, or giving a daughter in marriage to a decurio. (3) By rescript of the emperor; mtroduced by Justinian. Legitimation of bastards, either by subsequent marriage or by an act of the government {Rescriptum principiis), is nothing but a legal equalization of certain childrai illegitimately begotten with legitimate chil- LEGITIMATION PER SUBSEQUENS matrimonium. The legitimation of a bastard by the subsequent marriage of his parents. Bell, Diet.