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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §12.2.2.pr

Oath as a Species of Compromise and Its Greater Authority than Res Iudicata

Passage 1899 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Paulus explains that an oath in a lawsuit embodies a species of compromise and possesses greater legal authority than a decided judgment (res iudicata).

[PAULUS libro octauo decimo ad edictum. ] §12.2.2.prIusiurandum speciem transactionis continet maioremque habet auctoritatem quam res iudicata.
[PAULUS, on the Edict, Book 18] An oath contains a species of compromise and has greater authority than a decided case.

Notes

  1. §12.2.2.prspeciem transactionis continet — Meaning "contains a species of compromise." Here, "species" refers to a substantial "form" or "character" rather than a mere appearance, indicating that a resolution achieved via an oath (iusiurandum) carries the same legal quality as a voluntary compromise (transactio) between the parties.
  2. §12.2.2.prres iudicata — "Res iudicata" (a decided matter/judgment). It serves as the subject of comparison introduced by the comparative construction "maiorem... quam" (greater... than), presenting the fundamental Roman law principle that a settlement by oath holds greater legal force (auctoritas) than a formal judicial decision.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §12.2.2.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:12.2.2.pr

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