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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §40.4.5.pr

Interpretation of Grants of Direct and Fideicommissary Freedom

Passage 6353 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

The text discusses interpretation principles for testamentary grants of freedom. In ordinary grants, the least burdensome provision for the slave is adopted, whereas in fideicommissary grants, the latest expression of the testator's will is regarded.

[IDEM libro tertio ad Sabinum. ] §40.4.5.prIn libertatibus leuissima scriptura spectanda est, ut, si plures sint, quae manumisso facilior sit, ea leuissima intellegatur: sed in fideicommissariis libertatibus nouissima scriptura spectatur.
[THE SAME, in the third book on Sabinus.] In grants of freedom, the easiest writing must be regarded, so that, if there are several, the one which is easier for the manumitted person may be understood as the easiest; but in fideicommissary freedoms, the newest writing is regarded.

Notes

  1. §40.4.5.prleuissima scriptura — The superlative adjective levissima (from levis, light/mild) here refers to the 'least burdensome' or 'most favorable' writing or provision for the slave to be freed.
  2. §40.4.5.prmanumisso — The dative of the perfect passive participle manumissus (from manumittere, to free), used substantively to mean 'the person to be freed.' It is governed by the comparative adjective facilior (easier), meaning 'easier for the person to be freed.'
  3. §40.4.5.prnouissima scriptura — The superlative adjective novissima (from novus, new) refers to the 'newest' or 'last' writing in terms of time. It reflects the legal principle that the later-expressed will of a testator supersedes the prior one.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §40.4.5.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:40.4.5.pr

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