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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §50.16.60.pr-50.16.60.2

Distinction Between Locus and Fundus by Subjective Intent

Passage 8874 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Explains the definitions of 'locus' (portion) and 'fundus' (whole), demonstrating that their distinction depends on subjective intention ('affectio') rather than physical size, and touches on the boundary differences between them.

[IDEM libro sexagensimo nono ad edictum. ] §50.16.60.prLocus' est non fundus, sed portio aliqua fundi: 'fundus' autem integrum aliquid est.
[THE SAME on the Edict, book 69.] 'locus' is not a 'fundus', but some portion of a 'fundus'; a 'fundus', however, is an entire whole.
et plerumque sine uilla 'locum' accipimus: ceterum adeo opinio nostra et constitutio locum a fundo separat, ut et modicus locus possit fundus dici, si fundi animo eum habuimus.
And generally we understand 'locus' as being without a 'uilla'. However, our opinion and determination so separate 'locus' from 'fundus' that even a modest 'locus' can be called a 'fundus', if we have held it with the intention of it being a 'fundus'.
non etiam magnitudo locum a fundo separat, sed nostra affectio: et quaelibet portio fundi poterit fundus dici, si iam hoc constituerimus.
It is not size that separates 'locus' from 'fundus', but our subjective attitude; and any portion of a 'fundus' can be called a 'fundus', if we have already so determined.
nec non et fundus locus constitui potest: nam si eum alii adiunxerimus fundo, locus fundi efficietur.
Likewise, a 'fundus' can also be established as a 'locus'; for if we annex it to another 'fundus', it will become a 'locus' of that 'fundus'.
§50.16.60.1Loci appellationem non solum ad rustica, uerum ad urbana quoque praedia pertinere Labeo scribit.
Labeo writes that the designation of 'locus' applies not only to rustic estates, but also to urban estates.
§50.16.60.2Sed fundus quidem suos habet fines, locus uero latere potest, quatenus determinetur et definiatur.
But while a 'fundus' indeed has its own boundaries, a 'locus' can remain undefined until it is demarcated and limited.

Notes

  1. §50.16.60.pranimo — The ablative `animo`, modified by the genitive `fundi`, functions as an ablative of manner or mental state, expressing the subjective intent of the owner to hold or treat the land as a 'fundus'.
  2. §50.16.60.2latere — Meaning 'to lie hidden' or 'to remain unspecified'. In contrast to a 'fundus' which has established boundaries, a 'locus' is a portion defined by intent, meaning its physical limits can remain conceptually latent or undefined until actively demarcated.
  3. §50.16.60.2quatenus — Introducing the subjunctive verbs `determinetur` and `definiatur`, `quatenus` introduces a restrictive or temporal condition ('until such time as' or 'insofar as'), showing that the physical boundaries of a 'locus' remain latent until it is actively demarcated and defined.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §50.16.60.pr-50.16.60.2. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:50.16.60.pr-50.16.60.2

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