[ULPIANUS libro septimo disputationum. ] §46.1.10.prSi dubitet creditor, an fideiussores soluendo sint, et unus ab eo electus paratus sit offerre cautionem, ut suo periculo confideiussores conueniantur, in parte dico audiendum eum esse, ita tamen, et si satisdationes offerat et omnes confideiussores, qui idonei esse dicuntur, praesto sint: nec enim semper facilis est nominis emptio, cum numeratio totius debiti non sit in expedito.
[ULPIANUS in the seventh book of disputations.] If a creditor should doubt whether the sureties are solvent, and one of them, having been chosen by him, is ready to offer security so that the co-sureties may be sued at his own risk, I say that he ought to be heard in part, provided, however, that he offers security and all the co-sureties who are said to be solvent are present; for the purchase of a debt is not always easy when the payment of the whole debt is not readily available.
§46.1.10.1Ita demum inter fideiussores diuiditur actio, si non infitientur: nam infitiantibus auxilium diuisionis non est indulgendum.
The action is divided among the sureties only if they do not deny the debt; for the benefit of division must not be granted to those who deny it.
§46.1.10.2Filius familias pro patre poterit fideiubere nec erit sine effectu haec fideiussio, primo quidem, quod sui iuris effectus poterit teneri in id quod facere potest, dein quod et, dum in potestate manet, condemnari potest.
A son under paternal power can become a surety for his father, and this suretyship will not be without effect; first, because after he has become independent (sui iuris), he can be held liable to the extent of his ability to pay; secondly, because even while he remains under paternal power, he can be condemned.
sed an pater ex hac causa quod iussu teneatur, uideamus: et puto ad omnes contractus quod iussu etiam referri.
But let us see whether the father can be held liable on this account by the action on an order (quod iussu); and I think that the action on an order also applies to all contracts.
sed si ignorante patre pro eo fideiusserit, cessat ista actio: tamen quasi in rem patris uersum sit, potest agi cum patre.
But if he became a surety for his father without his father's knowledge, this action ceases; however, a claim can be brought against the father as if it had been turned to the father's benefit (in rem uersum).
plane si emancipatus soluerit, utilis ei actio debebit competere: in potestate etiam manenti eadem actio competit, si de peculio castrensi pro patre soluerit.
Clearly, if he pays after being emancipated, an equitable action (utilis actio) ought to be available to him; and the same action is available to one who still remains under power, if he pays for his father out of his castrense peculium.