Borkowski’s Textbook on Roman Law, Sixth Edition

The Challenge It Addresses

Roman law is the bedrock of the civil law tradition, yet its intricate system of actions, persons, and obligations often overwhelms students. The sheer chronological span and the abstract nature of Roman legal concepts create a steep learning curve. The technical terminology and distinct historical context can feel like a foreign language, creating a barrier to deep comprehension. Students often struggle to connect the abstract rules of Roman law to their practical application in society.

Borkowski’s Textbook on Roman Law directly addresses this challenge by transforming a dense historical subject into a coherent, structured, and highly engaging narrative. It bridges the gap between ancient legal texts and modern legal understanding, providing the clarity needed to excel in your studies. This text removes the mystery from Roman law and replaces it with mastery.

Inside Borkowski’s Textbook on Roman Law, Sixth Edition: A Full Overview

Borkowski’s Textbook on Roman Law is the definitive academic resource for the study of Roman private law and civil procedure. Now in its Sixth Edition (2020), published by Oxford University Press, this volume is meticulously crafted by Professor Paul J. du Plessis, one of the world’s foremost scholars in the field. It provides a clear and highly engaging account of the entire Roman legal system, from the law of persons and property to obligations and succession. The book is distinguished by its integration of translated extracts from original sources, such as the Digest and the Institutes of Gaius, allowing students to engage directly with the foundational texts of Western jurisprudence.

It systematically builds a comprehensive picture of how Roman law functioned in practice, making it an ideal text for both structured courses and independent study. The Sixth Edition has been thoroughly revised to reflect the latest advancements in Roman law scholarship, ensuring that students and researchers are working with the most accurate and up-to-date information available.

Who Will Benefit Most

This textbook is the essential companion for anyone serious about understanding Roman law. It is perfectly suited for a wide range of readers:

• Undergraduate Law Students: Those taking compulsory or optional courses in Roman law, legal history, or the foundations of private law will find this text indispensable for lectures and exam preparation.
• Postgraduate Researchers: Students pursuing LLM or PhD research in Roman law, comparative law, or legal history who require an authoritative and current reference work will rely on its detailed analysis and bibliography.
• Legal Historians and Academics: Scholars seeking a comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis of Roman private law for teaching or research will appreciate its scholarly rigor and clarity.
• Practitioners in Civil Law Jurisdictions: Lawyers and judges working in systems influenced by Roman law who wish to deepen their understanding of doctrinal roots will find it an invaluable professional resource.
• Common Law Students: Those studying the historical foundations of the common law will gain crucial context on the civilian tradition that shaped much of European legal thought.
• Self-Learners and Enthusiasts: Anyone with a keen interest in the history of law and the intellectual foundations of Western civilization will find it accessible and rewarding.

No matter your starting point, this text provides the depth and clarity required to build a solid foundation in Roman legal principles.

Skills You Will Gain

This text systematically builds your knowledge of the Roman legal system. By working through it, you will gain mastery over the following critical areas:

• The Structure of the Roman Legal System: Understand the interplay between the ius civile, ius honorarium, and ius gentium, and the role of jurists and emperors in law-making.
• The Law of Persons: Explore the status of individuals in Roman society, including the legal dimensions of slavery, citizenship, patria potestas, and marriage.
• The Law of Property and Real Rights: Master the concepts of ownership (dominium), possession, servitudes, and usufruct, which form the backbone of property law.
• The Law of Obligations: Delve into the Roman law of contracts (stipulatio, sale, hire, partnership) and delicts (theft, robbery, damage to property, insult).
• The Law of Succession: Learn the rules of testate and intestate succession, including the formal requirements for wills and the protection of heirs.
• Civil Procedure: Trace the evolution of Roman litigation from the legis actiones through the formulary system to the cognitio extraordinaria.
• The Reception of Roman Law: Understand how Roman law was rediscovered, adapted, and integrated into the legal systems of modern Europe.
• The Role of the Praetor: Understand how the praetor’s edict shaped the development of Roman law and created new legal remedies.
• Legal Concepts and Terminology: Build a strong working vocabulary of essential Latin legal terms, enabling you to read and understand primary sources with confidence.

Each topic is explored with depth and precision, ensuring you develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject.

Why This Book Stands Out

While several excellent introductions to Roman law exist, Borkowski’s Textbook on Roman Law holds a distinct advantage for the serious student. Unlike works that offer a purely narrative overview, this text provides a granular, doctrinal analysis grounded in the primary sources. Its structured approach makes complex topics like the formulary system and the law of obligations remarkably accessible. The inclusion of translated extracts from the Digest and Gaius’s Institutes sets it apart, giving readers direct exposure to the reasoning of Roman jurists.

Furthermore, the Sixth Edition, overseen by Paul J. du Plessis, incorporates the latest scholarship, ensuring the content is both current and authoritative. It is the preferred textbook for Roman law courses at leading universities worldwide, a testament to its unmatched pedagogical quality. The balance it strikes between comprehensive coverage and readability is simply unmatched. For students seeking not just to pass an exam but to genuinely understand the architecture of Roman private law, this text is unparalleled. It surpasses older texts in its updated coverage and exceeds shorter surveys in its comprehensive doctrinal scope.

About the Author

Paul J. du Plessis is a Professor of Roman Law at the University of Edinburgh, a position that places him at the heart of the global scholarly community dedicated to Roman legal history. He is a prolific author and editor, widely respected for his contributions to the field. His expertise ensures that every page of this textbook reflects the highest standards of academic rigor and contemporary understanding of Roman law. The late Andrew Borkowski established the original framework of this celebrated text, and Professor du Plessis has masterfully updated and expanded it through multiple editions, ensuring its continued relevance and scholarly excellence.

The Sixth Edition reflects the latest scholarly debates and discoveries, ensuring the reader is engaging with the most current understanding of Roman law. Oxford University Press is the world’s largest and most prestigious university press. Its academic publications are synonymous with quality, authority, and meticulous peer review. The fact that this textbook is an OUP publication is a powerful guarantee of its scholarly value and editorial excellence. The Sixth Edition (2020) confirms that the work is continuously updated to reflect new discoveries and interpretations in the field, making it a living text rather than a static relic.

Our Verdict

Unequivocally, yes. For any law student or scholar who needs to understand Roman private law and civil procedure, this is not merely a recommendation — it is an essential acquisition. It functions as both a comprehensive textbook for a full course and a lifelong reference work. The clarity of the exposition, the authority of the authorship, and the prestige of the publisher combine to make this the single best investment you can make in your legal education.

It will serve you from your first lecture to your final examination and beyond. Considering the depth of content and the quality of production, the value it provides for your academic and professional development is unmatched by any other text on the market.

Download Borkowski’s Textbook on Roman Law, Sixth Edition Now

Whether you are a law student preparing for exams or a researcher building your foundation in legal history, the Sixth Edition of Borkowski’s Textbook on Roman Law is your key to success. This is the current, definitive edition, published by Oxford University Press in 2020. Don’t rely on outdated summaries or fragmented notes. Equip yourself with the complete, authoritative resource that will guide you through the complexities of the Roman legal system. The 2020 edition is the most current version available, incorporating the latest academic research.

Take the decisive step in your legal studies. Don’t wait to secure your academic advantage. Order your digital copy today and master Roman private law with confidence.