Humanitext Reader

Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §23.1.18.pr

Contracting Betrothal Through an Intermediary

Passage 3306 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Explains that in contracting a betrothal, it is of little importance whether it is done by the parties themselves or through another, and that conditions are usually settled by third parties.

[ULPIANUS libro sexto ad edictum. ] §23.1.18.prIn sponsalibus constituendis parui refert, per se (et coram an per internuntium uel per epistulam) an per alium hoc factum est: et fere plerumque condiciones interpositis personis expediuntur.
[ULPIANUS, in the sixth book on the Edict.] In contracting a betrothal, it matters little whether this is done by the parties themselves (either in person, or through a messenger, or by letter) or through another; and generally, in most cases, the conditions are settled by the intervention of third parties.

Notes

  1. §23.1.18.prparui refert — The word parui used with the impersonal verb refert is a genitive of value, meaning 'it matters little' or 'it is of small importance.'
  2. §23.1.18.pran per alium hoc factum est — In connection with the preceding per se and the an inside the parenthesis, this forms a multiple indirect question clause serving as the subject of refert. The pronoun hoc refers to the contracting of a betrothal (sponsalia constituere).
  3. §23.1.18.printerpositis personis — An ablative absolute construction consisting of the noun persona and the perfect passive participle of interponere, expressing the means or circumstance: 'with third parties intervening' or 'by the intervention of intermediaries.'

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §23.1.18.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:23.1.18.pr

Please note the AI-draft status of the translation and the date accessed.

Translation, notes and summary are AI-generated drafts, revised through reader feedback.