Alimenta

Alimenta (Latin, plural of alimentum, meaning nourishment, food, or sustenance) refers to a legal obligation, typically in Roman law, to provide food, clothing, and other necessaries for the support of another person. This duty could arise from various relationships, including parent to child, patron to freedman, or between siblings. The extent of the alimenta obligation was determined by the needs of the recipient and the means of the provider. It was a significant aspect of family law and social welfare in Roman society, ensuring that individuals unable to support themselves were cared for. The obligation could be enforced through legal actions if the provider failed to fulfill their duty. In some contexts, alimenta could also refer to a specific amount of money or goods allocated for this support.