Political background explains the law on damage to personal property in Republican Rome.

What is it about?

For damage to personal property, compensation is due. A milestone in the development of this principle was the enactment of the lex Aquilia in 287 BCE. This act was the result of a compromise reached by the two orders, the patricians and plebeians. Paying closer attention to the political grievances that drove the law reform helps to understand many features of the law.

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Photo by Steph Wilson on Unsplash

Photo by Steph Wilson on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The lex Aquilia has features that we struggle to understand. Seeing that the reform tackled an access to justice problem helps to better understand these features.