epigamia

EPIGA´MIA(ἐπιγαμία). [CIVITAS(Greek).]

(ἐπιγαμία). The right of contracting a valid marriage, with all its legal consequences. It was possessed only by citizens of the same State: aliens could acquire it only by special legal authorization—i. e. a decree of the popular assembly. At Athens even the metoeci, or resident aliens, were excluded from it. Cf. the article conubium.