IMMŪNĬTAS

(from in and mun us ), signifies, (1) A freedom from taxes. (2) A freedom from services which other citizens had to discharge. With respect to the first kind of immunitas we find that the emperors frequently granted it to separate persons, or to certain cla es of persons, or to whole states. The second kind of immunitas was granted to all persons who had a valid excuse ( excusatio ) to be released from such, services, and also to other persons as a special favour. The immunitas might be either general, from all services which a citizen owed to the state, or special, such as from military service, from taking the office of tutor or guardian, and the like.