The Roman Law of Inheritance
The Evolution of the Roman Law of Inheritance during the Principate
Will be published approx. on 28. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
328 pages
978-1-3995-3166-5 (ISBN)
Description
Fritz Schulz once famously described the Roman law of inheritance as "labyrinthine" and it is deemed to be the most complex part of the Roman legal system. As Rome evolved from a city-state to an imperial power, the rules of inheritance often changed because of the economic importance of acquisition at death. These changes are reflected in the Corpus iuris civilis, despite the best efforts of the compilers of the Corpus to eliminate variations in the text in order to standardise the existing material for the purposes of their compilation.
The Roman Law of Inheritance gives the reader an insight into the content, structure and evolution of Roman inheritance law and provides an understanding of a fundamental part of Roman legal thought. In addition, it tackles the most difficult features of Roman law of inheritance, including the fideicommissa and the interpretation of wills which are explained against the background of historical stratification.
The Roman Law of Inheritance gives the reader an insight into the content, structure and evolution of Roman inheritance law and provides an understanding of a fundamental part of Roman legal thought. In addition, it tackles the most difficult features of Roman law of inheritance, including the fideicommissa and the interpretation of wills which are explained against the background of historical stratification.
Reviews / Votes
The teaching of Roman law in the Anglophone world is flourishing. The law of succession is an integral part of teaching Roman law as it demonstrates the real-world concerns informing the opinions of the Roman jurists. Babusiaux's insightful work on the Roman law of succession is an essential addition to the subject. It will undoubtedly be used widely. -- Paul J. du Plessis, University of Edinburgh A long-overdue, accessible English-language introduction to the Roman law of Inheritance. Presenting a balanced mix of documentary evidence and Roman jurisprudence, the book illustrates the mechanisms of law reform playing out in imperial Rome - cutting-edge scholarship, written by an internationally acclaimed expert in the field. -- Wolfgang Ernst, University of OxfordMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
42 black and white tables
Dimensions
Height: 155 mm
Width: 234 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
488 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3995-3166-5 (9781399531665)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Ulrike Babusiaux is a Professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Zurich. Ulrike Babusiaux is a Professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Zurich.
Content
Preface
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - The General Historical and Legal framework
Chapter 3 - The Rules of Intestacy
Chapter 4 - The Position of the Heir
Chapter 5 - The Protection of the Position of Heir
Chapter 6 - The Testamentary Order of Succession
Chapter 7 - Protecting Inheritance Expectations and the Rules of Disinheritance
Chapter 8 - The Law of Legacies
Chapter 9 - The Interpretation of Wills
Chapter 10 - Final Conclusions
Chapter 1 - Introduction
Chapter 2 - The General Historical and Legal framework
Chapter 3 - The Rules of Intestacy
Chapter 4 - The Position of the Heir
Chapter 5 - The Protection of the Position of Heir
Chapter 6 - The Testamentary Order of Succession
Chapter 7 - Protecting Inheritance Expectations and the Rules of Disinheritance
Chapter 8 - The Law of Legacies
Chapter 9 - The Interpretation of Wills
Chapter 10 - Final Conclusions