La redemptio ab hostibus e la redemptio a domino nel diritto romano

Abstract

This essay presents a synthetic historical account of the Roman juridical institution of the redemptio ab hostibus and the redemptio a domino, which allowed people who had been enslaved in war, or as debtors, to regain their freedom. Particular attention is paid to the condition of the slaves – and their incomes – in the familia of the redeemer to which they belonged until the price paid to obtain their release from the enemy (in the first case) or to purchase them as slaves (in the second case) had been reimbursed. The procedure for the reimbursement is described, and the analysis moves from classical Roman Law to the Middle Ages, highlighting the difference between the status of the slave according to Roman Law and the status of the slave during modern colonialism (when no formal procedure for ransom and reimbursement was possible). 

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Digital edition for purchase published by Editrice Morcelliana (external link), © 2018 Editrice Morcelliana.
Print edition for purchase published by Editrice Morcelliana (ISSN 2239-6098; ISBN 978-88-372-3175-0; external link), © 2018 Editrice Morcelliana.