Summoned to the Roman Courts

Summoned to the Roman Courts is the first work by Detlef Liebs, an internationally recognized expert on ancient Roman law, to be made available in English. Originally presented as a series of popular lectures, this book brings to life a thousand years of Roman history through sixteen studies of famous court cases—from the legendary trial of Horatius for the killing of his sister, to the trial of Jesus Christ, to that of the Christian leader Priscillian for heresy. Drawing on a wide variety of ancient sources, the author not only paints a vivid picture of ancient Roman society, but also illuminates how ancient legal practices still profoundly affect how the law is implemented today.

Detlef Liebs, Professor of Legal History and Civil Law at the University of Freiburg, is the author of Römische Jurisprudenz in Africa and Römisches Recht: Ein Studienbuch, among other books.

Preface
Introduction

1. Killing a Sister for Mourning a Fallen Enemy
2. Temporary End to Trials Involving Black Magic
3. A Dowry Hunter Loses Out
4. A Naive Buyer
5. The Party’s Intention vs. the Pedantry of Jurists?
6. Cicero Thwarts the Intrigue of a Powerful Man
7. Defense against a Lover’s Malice
8. Corrupter of Morals through Poetry, or Accessory to a Conspiracy?
9. A Precautionary Crucifixion
1. “They Hate Mankind"
11. A Criminal Organization?
12. Brutal Slave Owners
13. Self-Help Is Punished
14. Protecting a Ward Prevails over Standard Payment Practices
15. A Dispute among Christians
16. The Execution of Heretics

Conclusion

Notes
Index