Roman Law in Context

This book explains how Roman law worked for those who lived by it, by viewing it in the light of the society and economy in which it operated. Written in an accessible style with the minimum of legal technicality, the book is designed for students and teachers of Roman history as well as interested general readers. Topics covered include the family and inheritance, property and the use of land, business and commercial transactions, and litigation. In this second edition, all chapters have been extensively revised and updated, and a new chapter on crime and punishment has been included. The book ends with an epilogue covering the fate of Roman law in medieval and modern Europe. David Johnston is a lawyer practising in the courts and draws on his experience of law in practice to shape the work and provide new insights for his readers.

• Draws on the author's experience as a practising lawyer to show how Roman law actually worked, thereby demonstrating its importance for understanding Roman social and economic history
• Provides non-technical, accessible explanations of legal rules and institutions, so that the student with no prior legal knowledge can understand them
• The second edition has been thoroughly revised and updated and includes a new chapter on crime and punishment