Between coercion and protection. Locationes censoriae in the times of the Roman Republic

Abstract The censors had wide-ranging powers related to the performance of public tasks. They concluded contracts (locationes censoriae) for the erection and repair of public buildings, as well as the collection of public revenues. The position of the contractors was weaker, but they were able to obtain assistance from the senate and sometimes from the plebeian tribunes. The tasks of the censors required the acquisition of land. This was done by purchase (emptio in publicum). It is not known whether the censors used coercive measures, but it seems that they rather conducted negotiations. They then carried out a publicatio, i.e. the granting of public status to the property.