Rapina Definition:

In Roman law and later, civil law, the quasi-delict of the theft of movables committed with violence.

Alexander Burrill defined rapina as follows:

“In the civil law. The violent taking from the person of another, of money or goods for the sake of gain; robbery from the person.

“In old English law, open and violent larceny from the person; robbery.”

In Roman law, rapina was punished more severely than furtum. Rapina was not a criminal offence per se but a form of quasi-delict which gave rise to a claim for damages, those damages being greater if it was proved that the delict was committed with violence, a rapina.

REFERENCES:

• Burrill, A., Law Dictionary and Glossary, Vol. II (New York: Baker, Voorhis & Co., Law Publishers, 1867)
• Duhaime, Lloyd, Legal Definition of Damnum injuria datum
• Duhaime, Lloyd, Legal Definition of Furtum
• Duhaime, Lloyd, Legal Definition of Quasi-Delict
• Howe, W., Studies in the Civil Law (Littleton, Colorado: Fred B. Rothman & Co., 1980), page 192-193
• Monier, R., Vocabulaire de Droit Romain (Paris: Editions Domat, 1948), page 130