The Civic Crown (
Latin: corona civica) was a
chaplet of common
oak leaves woven to form a
crown. During the
Roman Republic, and the subsequent
Principate, it was regarded as the second highest
military decoration a citizen could aspire to (the
Grass Crown being held in higher regard). It was reserved for
men who saved the lives of fellow soldiers, and held the ground upon which he did this for the remainder of the engagement. After
Sulla's constitutional reforms, any recipient of the Civic Crown was entitled entry into the
Senate. Furthermore, the recipient was required by law to wear his crown at every public gathering, and was applauded even by men much senior to himself. It later became a prerogative for
Roman Emperors to be awarded the Civic Crown (originating with Augustus, who was awarded it for saving the lives of citizens by ending the series of civil wars). Famous recipients include
Julius Caesar and
Caesar Augustus.
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