Which statement was NOT used to describe the Roman Empire's notarial roles?

• A. Scriba
• B. Tabularii
• C. Notarii
• D. Advocati

Answer: (D)

The essential idea is distinguishing who did notarial work from who performed legal advocacy in ancient Rome. Notarial duties were about drafting, recording, and authenticating documents, so those who held such roles were scribes and clerks tied to the chancellery or public record-keeping. Scriba (scribe) and tabularii (clerks of the records) describe these record-keeping functions, and notarii are the officials specifically charged with producing and authenticating documents. Advocati, on the other hand, were legal advocates who argued cases in court; their job was representation and persuasion in legal proceedings, not certifying documents. So the statement that uses Advocati to describe notarial roles isn’t accurate, which is why it’s the option that doesn’t fit.