Civitas
In Ancient Rome, a civitas (Latin pronunciation: [ˈkiːwɪtaːs]; plural civitates), sometimes translated as "city", was the social body of the cives, or citizens, united by their laws, which gave them responsibilities (Latin: munera) on the one hand, and rights on the other. The agreement (concilium) has a life of its own, creating a res publica or "public entity" (synonymous with civitas), into which individuals are born or accepted, and from which they die or are ejected.