Review
Paul J. du Plessis, Studying Roman Law, Bristol Classical Press, London 2012, 125 pages
Abstract
The present work by a lecturer at the School of Law, University of Edinburgh, has been published as part of the Classical World Series. According to the author's words in the preface, it has been written primarily as a short guide for all those who would like to gain a basic knowledge of Roman private law during the first three centuries AD. Paul J. du Plessis makes it clear that the book should not be regarded as a study to replace a textbook on Roman law. It has only an introductory character and therefore does not contain in its content detailed descriptions of numerous, highly complex legal issues. The area of the issues discussed by the author is the relations between persons in the area of family and property matters, i.e. the Roman ius privatum. It is Roman law that, due to the significant role it has played and continues to play in the formation of modern private law in many countries, attracts the greatest interest of those who deal with the law of Ancient Rome ex professo, as well as students (however, this is largely due to the necessity of taking an exam in Roman law) and legal practitioners, for whom the knowledge of concepts, institutions or legal rules shaped by the ancient Romans proves helpful in their professional work. Studying Roman Law is therefore intended to provide readers with an elementary understanding of Roman law at its peak and thus encourage them to reach for more specialised scholarly items.
References
Buckland W.W., The Roman Law of Slavery. The Condition of the Slave in Private Law from Augustus to Justinian, Cambridge 1908.
Champlin E., Final Judgments. Duty and Emotion in Roman Wills 200 B.C. – A.D. 250, Berkeley and Los Angeles 1991.
Corbett P.E., The Roman Law of Marriage, Oxford 1930.
du Plessis P.J., Studying Roman Law, Bristol Classical Press, London 2012.
Frier B.W., McGinn T.A.J., A Casebook on Roman Family Law, Oxford 2004.
Gai Institutiones. Instytucje Gaiusa. Tekst i przekład, z języka łacińskiego przełożył, wstępem i uwagami opatrzył W. Rozwadowski, Poznań 2003.
Gaius, Instytucje, z języka łacińskiego przełożył i wstępem opatrzył C. Kunderewicz, opracował J. Rezler, Warszawa 1982.
Gardner J.F., Being a Roman Citizen, London and New York 1993.
Justinian: The Digest of Roman Law: Theft, Rapine, Damage and Insult, przekł. C.F. Kolbert, Harmondsworth 1979.
Mitchell P., [z:] P. J. du Plessis, Studying Roman Law, „The Classical Review” 2013, nr 2.
Scott S.P., The Civil Law including the Twelve Tables, the Institutes of Gaius, the Rules of Ulpian, the Opinions of Paulus, the Enactments of Justinian, and the Constitutions of Leo, Cincinnati 1932.
The Theodosian Code and Novels and the Sirmondian Constitutions. A translation with Commentary, Glossary, and Bibliography by C. Pharr, Princeton 1952.
Watson A., Roman Slave Law, Baltimore 1987.
