- Source
- Digesta Iustiniani Augusti. Mommsen, Theodor & Krueger, Paul, editors. Berlin: Weidmann, 1870.
- Translation
- AI-generated (gemini-3.5-flash) — machine translation; may contain errors
- Languages
- 日本語 · English · 简体中文 · 한국어
- CTS URN
- urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:7.4.21.pr
- Generated
- Humanitext Reader · reader.humanitext.ai · 2026-11-13
This section explains that when a usufruct is bequeathed to a city and the city is completely destroyed and ceases to exist, as was the case with Carthage, the usufruct is terminated as if by "death."
[MODESTINUS libro tertio differentiarium.]
[MODESTINUS in the third book of Differences.]
Si usus fructus ciuitati legetur et aratrum in ea inducatur,1 civitas esse desinit, ut passa est Carthago, ideoque quasi morte2 desinit habere usum fructum.
If a usufruct is bequeathed to a city, and a plow is driven into it, the city ceases to exist, as Carthage suffered, and therefore, as if by death, it ceases to have the usufruct.
- 7.4.21.praratrum in ea inducatur
The phrase "a plow is driven into it" is a metaphorical expression meaning that the city is thoroughly destroyed and turned into agricultural land. In Roman tradition, running a plow over the ruins of a conquered city was a symbolic ritual signifying its complete obliteration and de-urbanization.
- 7.4.21.prquasi morte
"As if by death." Since a city (civitas) is a corporate entity and does not experience biological death like a natural person, its complete destruction is analogized to death. Because a usufruct (usus fructus) is inherently a right that terminates upon the death of its holder, the dissolution of the city is treated as equivalent to death.
Translated by Gemini 3.5 Flash (published 2026-07-12) · Revision history (1, latest 2026-09-21)
- 2026-09-21 AI review — note 1