Beyond Dogmatics: Law and Society in the Roman World (Edinburgh Studies in Law)

This book is an important contribution to the current lively debate about the relationship between law and society in the Roman world. This debate, which was initiated by the work of John Crook in the 1960's, has had a profound impact upon the study of law and history and has created sharply divided opinions on the extent to which law may be said to be a product of the society that created it. This work is a modest attempt to provide a balanced assessment of the various points of view. The chapters within this book have been specifically arranged to represent the debate. It contains an introductory chapter by Alan Watson, whose views on the relationship between law and society have caused some controversy. In the remaining chapters a distinguished international group of scholars address this debate by focusing on studies of law and empire, codes and codification, death and economics, commerce and procedure. This book does not purport to provide a complete survey of Roman private law in light of Roman society. Its primary aim is to address specific areas of the law with a view to contributing to the larger debate. An important contribution to the raging debate about the relationship between law and society in the Roman worldWhat was the relationship between law and society in the Roman world? This debate, initiated by the work of John Crook in the 1960s, has had a profound impact upon the study of law and history and has created sharply divided opinions on the extent to which law may be said to be a product of the society that created it. This work is a balanced assessment of the different points of view battling against each other in this ongoing argument. It contains an introductory chapter by Alan Watson, whose views on the relationship between law and society have caused some controversy. In the following chapters, a distinguished group of international scholars get stuck in to the debate by focusing on studies of law and empire, codes and codification, death and economics, commerce and procedure. By looking at these specific areas, Beyond Dogmatics contributes to the larger debate about Roman private law in Roman society Law And Society / A. Watson -- Legal Pluralism And The Roman Empire / K. Tuori -- Diplomatics, Law And Romanisation In The Documents From The Judaean Desert / E.a. Meyer -- Roman Law Codes And The Roman Legal Tradition / J. Harries -- Diocletian And The Efficacy Of Public Law / R.d. Rees -- The Dutiful Legatee: Pliny, Letters V.1 / A.d.e. Lewis -- The Hereditability Of Locatio Conductio / P.j. Du Plessis-- Dealing With The Abyss: The Nature And Purpose Of The Rhodian Sea-law On Jettison (lex Rhodia De Iactu, D 14.2) And The Making Of Justinian's Digest / J.-j. Aubert -- Suing The Paterfamilias: Theory And Practice / D. Johnston -- Lawsuits In Context / E. Metzger -- The Role Of Delators / O.f. Robinson. Edited By J.w. Cairns And P.j. Du Plessis. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Also Available Online. The debate about the relationship between law and society in the Roman world, which was initiated by the work of John Crook in the 1960's, has had an impact upon the study of law and history and has created divided opinions on the extent to which law may be said to be a product of the society that created it. This work is explores the various points of view focusing on studies of law and empire, codes and codification, death and economics, commerce and procedure