Civis romanus sum
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Civis romanus sum is a Latin locution meaning I am a Roman citizen, that indicated membership in Roman civilization and implied, in a wider sense, all the rights (and duties) associated with such a state (Cicero, In Verrem 11, V, 162).
A phrase repeated with pride by many Latin important figures, it was put forward in order to assert the privileges granted to Roman citizens. Even prisoners were allowed to take advantage of that prerogative, and subsequently they were granted favorable treatment. Paul of Tarsus, under trial and appealing to the Emperor, claimed his right as a citizen to be tried in Rome, and the judicial process was suspended until he, in chains and escorted by guards, was carried to the capital city (Acts 22, 27).
The locution was quoted by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in his famous Ich bin ein Berliner speech in West Berlin, on June 26, 1963:
| “ | "Two thousand years ago the proudest boast was civis romanus sum. Today, in the world of freedom, the proudest boast is 'Ich bin ein Berliner.'" | „ |
