In Book 35, Section 197 of his Natural History, Pliny the Elder references the Lex Metilia fullonibus dicta(the Metilian Law issued for fullers). [1]

Pliny notes that this law was proposed to the people by the censors Gaius Flaminius and Lucius Aemiliusto regulate the trade and materials used by ancient Roman launderers and cloth-cleaners (fullones). [1, 2]

Latin Text (NH 35.197)

"...cum lex Metilia extet fullonibus dicta, quam C. Flaminius L. Aemilius censores dedere ad populum ferendam." [1]

English Translation

"...since the Metilian law still stands, which was laid down for fullers, and which Gaius Flaminius and Lucius Aemilius as censors put forward to be carried before the People." [1]

What the Law Addressed

While Pliny does not quote the exact text of the law, he introduces it to show how strictly the ancestors (maiores) minded every detail of industry and economy. Immediately following this mention (in Section 198), Pliny outlines the official statutory order and materials required for washing clothes: [1, 2]

1. The garment must first be washed with Sardinian earth (creta Sarda).
2. It must then be fumigated with sulfur.
3. Finally, it is scrubbed with Cimolian earth (creta Cimolia) to restore true color and luster. [1, 2]

Modern legal historians from platforms like Cambridge University Press debate whether this was an early sumptuary law to curb aristocratic extravagance or a consumer protection / industrial regulation ensuring that cleaners did not cheat customers by using cheaper, destructive chemicals on expensive fabrics. [1, 2]

Would you like to explore how Roman fullers used these specific earths or look closer at the political careers of the censors Flaminius and Aemilius?

L'AI può commettere errori, quindi verifica le risposte 

what Metilius was this?

The Metilius responsible for this law is most widely identified by modern historians as Marcus Metilius, who served as a tribune of the plebs (tribunus plebis) during the late 3rd century BC. [1, 2]

Because Roman censors did not possess the legal power to directly summon the popular assembly to vote on legislation (ius agendi cum populo), the censors Gaius Flaminius and Lucius Aemilius needed a sympathetic magistrate to formally introduce the bill. Marcus Metilius acted as their legislative partner. [1]

Political Context & Identity

• The Anti-Aristocratic Alliance: Marcus Metilius belonged to a highly vocal, populist political faction that fiercely opposed the conservative senatorial elite. He was a close ally of the censor Gaius Flaminius (the same Flaminius who famously built the Via Flaminia and later died fighting Hannibal at Lake Trasimene). [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Elevating Censors' Edicts: The censors initially drafted rules to protect consumers and regulate fulling practices. To turn these temporary administrative rules into permanent, binding statutory law (lex), Marcus Metilius used his unique powers as a tribune to formally present the bill to the Plebeian Assembly (Concilium Plebis), where it successfully passed. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Other Famous Actions: This is likely the exact same Marcus Metilius who, as tribune in 217 BC, aggressively attacked the cautious military tactics of the dictator Fabius Maximus ("The Delayer") during the Second Punic War. [1]

Alternative Identification

A minority historical tradition occasionally attributes the law to Titus Metilius Croto, another figure from the same gens (family line) who served as a military commander (legate) a few years later in 215 BC. However, the tribal legislative mechanics of the Roman Republic heavily favor Marcus Metilius the Tribune as the true author. [1, 2]

Would you like to know more about the political battles between Tribune Metilius and the Senate, or how Roman laws moved from a censor's idea to a public vote? [1, 2]