What term describes a freedman in ancient Rome?

The term "libertus" specifically refers to a freedman in ancient Rome, highlighting the individual who has been freed from slavery. In the Roman social structure, a libertus was someone who had previously been a slave but was granted freedom, thereby acquiring certain rights and responsibilities as a free person.

Being a freedman also often came with obligations to their former masters, such as providing services or support in some capacity, but it also represented a significant shift in status within society. The legal and social context of the term is pivotal, as it distinguishes liberti (plural of libertus) from other classes in Rome, such as citizens or slaves.

In contrast, "servus" refers to a slave, while "familia" denotes the household, including everyone under the power of the paterfamilias, typically encompassing slaves and free persons alike. The term "municeps" typically referred to a town citizen or municipal inhabitant, lacking the specific connotation of released servitude that defines "libertus." Understanding these distinctions provides insight into the complexities of social hierarchies in ancient Rome.