An Introduction to Roman Law

"Roman private law claims the attention of the modern reader for two reasons. It is the most original product of the Roman mind. And it is the main source of the common stock of legal ideas which characterizes the 'Civil Law' systems of the modern world and distinguishes them from the systems which derive from the English Common Law. This book sketches the history of Roman Private Law from the Twelve Tables to modern times, and sets out the elements of the system. It does not attempt to summarize the whole law, but explains and evaluates its most characteristic and influential features"--Unedited summary from book cover.