Roman Law Textbook (Revised Edition 2005)

Author: (Italian) Peng Fandeng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Peng Fandeng's Textbook of Roman Law is a textbook written for university students. It is a classic work in this field. It reflects the author's aforementioned methodological views, although it does not include discussions on public law systems, which are covered in Peng Fandeng's History of Roman Law. It concisely compiles the results of an extremely broad examination of Roman law, creating a new type of work that combines systematic theoretical discussions with unprecedented, profound historical narratives. Later textbooks often propose new insights on controversial specific issues among scholars, or engage in broader, less helpful discussions for students. However, in no case do they surpass the model of Peng Fandeng's work. Sometimes, later textbooks redescribe early Roman law, classical Roman law, and Justinianian Roman law, using the research findings of historians, yet this does not diminish the overall image of Roman law.
The translation of Peng Fandeng's Textbook of Roman Law was initiated by the author himself, as part of the broader effort to translate classic works of Italian and European Roman law scholars. The author envisioned that this work, along with other writings by his Chinese colleagues, would help people understand the main institutions of Roman law, benefiting Chinese Roman law scholars, civil law scholars, and other legal professionals, especially young students and law enthusiasts. When reading Peng Fandeng's Textbook of Roman Law, it is advisable to consult The Selections from the Civil Code and Justinian's Institutiones to find primary sources for deeper research. Such in-depth research can serve dual purposes: on one hand, it can focus on introducing ancient Roman law, various interpretations of it, and its development in other countries; on the other hand, it can compare and connect Roman law with the great tradition of Chinese law, providing valuable material for the development and improvement of modern law.
According to the ongoing translation plan, in-depth research into the various issues discussed by Roman law scholars and the perspectives of different eras is also of great significance for scientific research. Translating relevant collections of specialized essays will help better achieve this goal. Additionally, the authors plan to translate a work on the history of Roman law, which will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the development of the Roman community system.
The translation of this book was completed under an agreement reached between Dr. Huang Feng, China University of Political Science and Law (Roman Law Research Center), Italy's "Research Group on the Dissemination of Roman Law (GruppodiricercasullUadiffusionedeldirittor0mano)," and the Roman Law Teaching and Research Section of the Department of the History and Theory of Law at the Second University of Rome. This agreement was supported by Italy's "National Research Council." The publication of the entire book was also supported by this council.
Sandro Sibiani wrote this on May 23, 1992, in Rome—Beijing