Maiestas Literally "majesty," but in this case the word suggests the concept of the dignity of the senate and the state as a whole. The Latin phrase, maiestatem senatus minuerent that is used here is connected with the language of the law on high treason as defined by the lex Julia of Augustus (D. 48.4.3: the lex Julia on maiestas makes him liable who injures the public maiestas: qui maiestatem publicam laeserit ).