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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §28.5.29.pr

Interpretation of Each in the Institution of Heirs

Passage 4208 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Pomponius discusses the interpretation of the word 'each', contrasting Labeo's strict view that neither can inherit unless both designated the testator, with a more humane interpretation that honors the testator's intent and admits only the one who actually designated the testator.

[POMPONIUS libro quinto ad Sabinum. ] §28.5.29.prHoc articulo 'quisque' omnes significantur: et ideo Labeo scribit, si ita scriptum sit: 'Titius et Seius quanta quisque eorum 'ex parte heredem me habuerit scriptum, heres mihi esto', nisi omnes habeant scriptum heredem testatorem, neutrum heredem esse posse, quoniam ad omnium factum sermo refertur: in quo puto testatoris mentem respiciendam.
[POMPONIUS libro quinto ad Sabinum.] By this term 'each' (quisque) everyone is signified; and therefore Labeo writes that if it is written thus: 'Let Titius and Seius be my heirs to the extent of the share in which each of them has designated me as heir,' unless all of them have designated the testator as heir, neither of them can be heir, since the wording refers to the action of all. In this matter, I think the intention of the testator should be respected.
sed humanius est eum quidem, qui testatorem suum heredem scripserit, in tantam partem ei heredem fore, qui autem eum non scripserit, nec ad hereditatem eius admitti.
But it is more humane that the one indeed who has designated his testator as heir shall be his heir to that extent, but the one who has not designated him shall not be admitted to his inheritance.

Notes

  1. §28.5.29.prquanta quisque eorum ex parte heredem me habuerit scriptum — This clause means 'to the extent of the share in which each of them has designated me as heir.' 'habuerit scriptum' uses the structure 'habere' + perfect participle to indicate a completed state, and 'me' refers to the testator.
  2. §28.5.29.prneutrum heredem esse posse — An accusative with infinitive clause (indirect speech) dependent on the main verb 'scribit' (Labeo writes), forming the apodosis corresponding to the condition 'nisi omnes habeant...'.
  3. §28.5.29.prin tantam partem ei heredem fore — An accusative with infinitive clause dependent on 'humanius est' (it is more humane that...). 'tantam partem' (to such an extent/share) correlates with 'quanta ex parte' in the previous clause, meaning in the same proportion as one has designated.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §28.5.29.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:28.5.29.pr

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