Summoned to the Roman Courts Famous Trials from Antiquity [Paperback]

Summoned to the Roman Courtsis 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 casesfrom 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 ofR?mische Jurisprudenz in AfricaandR?misches Recht: Ein Studienbuch, among other books.

This book covers sixteen famous trialssome familiar to readers with a classical background, others less well knownall of which shed light on uncommon aspects of social and legal history. Liebs draws attention to two important but relatively understudied issues in particular: the role of the judge in procedure and the significance of trials and their outcomes in the evolution of Roman law.Jill D. Harries, Professor of Ancient History, University of St Andrews, and author ofCicero and the Jurists.

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 Partys Intention vs. the Pedantry of Jurists?
6. Cicero Thwarts the Intrigue of a Powerful Man
7. Defense against a Lovers 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 OlĂ