The word infamy serves to define the evil contained in a false comment or information, used to damage someone's reputation. For example, when a person speaks ill of someone, without having the evidence to support said information. This expression arises in ancient Rome, where it was used to refer to everything of discredit against the honor of an individual.
The person in charge of placing the name of infamous on the person was a magistrate (censor) who at that time was the competent authority. The censor was the one who organized the act where the finances and morality of the citizens were verified. The person who was cataloged as infamous, was forbidden access to any public office and much less could he exercise his right to vote in any election to be held, thus restricting his social and legal rights within ancient Roman society.
Roman law, depending on its origin, validated two kinds of infamy:
- The infamy "facti", this arose from the moment in which the person carried out some action that was opposite to what was established within the framework of morality and good customs. For example committing acts of adultery.
- The infamy "iurs", this originated when any type of fraudulent or malicious action was committed against someone.
Today, there are people who resort to infamy to harm the honor of others. Either by having a hidden interest or taking advantage of what has been said, the truth is that one must be careful with that, because if the person does not have the evidence that certifies the infamy, then he may be accused of defamation and be punished for it.
