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In Latin jus gladii literally means "the right of the sword", referring to the legal authority of an individual or group to execute someone for a capital offense.
A gladius was a short sword and the root for the title of gladiator.
Example: In the story of the death of Jesus in the Holy Bible the Jewish leaders had the right to imprison someone within their territory, but only the Roman rulers had jus gladii. Therefore, Jesus had to be brought up for judgment before the Romans in order for an execution to be legal.
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