Author Description

With a New Introduction by Michael H. Hoeflich, John H. & John M. Kane Professor of Law, University of Kansas School of Law. "'With the exception of the Bible there is no book which has so profoundly affected western civilization as the Corpus Juris.' With these suggestive words Dean Walton begins his clear and interesting summary of the history of the Roman Law before Justinian. Intended as an introduction to the study in Montreal of the Roman law in its modern form, and especially as it appears today in the law of the Province of Quebec, it is equally valuable for one who is to learn the modern Civil law and for one to whom Roman law is of interest only as a wonderful and effective example of the human intellect applied to the complex affairs of an imperial civilization. Dean Walton describes clearly and convincingly not only the history of important legal doctrines, but also the constitutional history of Rome so far as it had to do with the making of law. The author's learning is evident, but not obtrusive; his grasp of the subject is complete; his enthusiasm is, even to a devotee of the Common Law, almost contagious. Of especial value to a student of English law are his description of the growth of the commercial law at Rome, his explanation of the ante-Justinian sources of law, and his theory of the development of the jus gentium. In publishing in so handy a form just the facts about the history of Roman law that we most need to know, Dean Walton has deserved the thanks of the profession." -- J. H. B., Jr., 17 Harvard Law Review 294 1903-1904