Course Catalogue

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This course introduces the commercial world of ancient Rome with a selection of topics on contract law and property. Subjects typically include slavery, wine, fault in contract creation, and banking. Law is treated in its social and economic context.

There will be 9 x 2-hour seminars spread throughout semester 2.

This course is available to LLB students, MA students in the College of Arts, and visiting students.

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One summative/formative essay of 2,000 words (30%) and one summative examination (70%).

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The aims of the course are to:

1. introduce the commercial setting of ancient Rome;

2. place the substantive law in the context of Roman commercial realities; 

3. develop the analytical and critical skills of students by detailed examination of original sources of law.

4. develop research skills by requiring students to undertake a formative essay.

5. develop the oral and presentational skills of students by requiring students to speak on one or more seminar questions.

6. develop the students' general knowledge of ancient Rome.

7. deepen appreciation of particular areas of contemporary commercial law by holding out ancient law for comparison.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Understand the legal devices used by the Romans to manage their commercial affairs.

2. Analyse Roman legal sources with due appreciation of their time and place.

3. Appreciate the significance of legal history in our understanding of modern law.

4.Construct a cogent and coherent written argument using historical sources

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.