Roman Law Textbook - (Revised Edition 2005)

Author: (Italian) Peng Fandeng, translated by Huang Feng
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, yet 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 Justinianic 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 effort to complement other translation projects with a classic work by an Italian and European Roman law scholar. The author believed that this work, together with other writings by 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 integrate Roman law with the great tradition of Chinese law, providing valuable materials for the development and improvement of modern law.
According to the current 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 communal system.
The translation of this book was completed by Dr. Huang Feng in accordance with an agreement reached between China University of Political Science and Law (Roman Law Research Center), the Italian "Research Group on the Diffusion of Roman Law (GruppodiricercasullUadiffusionedeldirittor0mano)," and the Department of Roman Law at the Second University of Rome. This agreement was supported by the Italian "National Research Council." The publication of the entire book was also supported by this council.
Sandro Siboni wrote this on May 23, 1992, in Rome—Beijing