The Roman Law of Obligations

• A previously unpublished course of lectures from one of the most influential legal scholars of the twentieth century
• Provides a clear conceptual map of the Roman law of obligations, explaining key terminology, the structure of the law, and introducing the major works
• Gives a valuable overview to all scholars interested in the taxonomy of private law, and the enduring legacy of Roman legal thought

The Roman Law of Obligations presents a series of lectures delivered by the late Peter Birks as an introductory course in Roman law. Discovered in complete manuscript form following his death, the lectures are published here for the first time.

The lectures present a clear conceptual map of the Roman law of obligations, guiding readers through the institutional structure of contract, delict, quasi-contract, and quasi-delict. They introduce readers to the terminology needed to understand the foundations of Roman law, and the conceptual framework of the law of obligations that left an enduring legacy on European private law.

The lectures offer an invaluable introduction to Roman private law for those coming to the subject for the first time. They will also make stimulating reading for academics and lawyers interested in Roman law, European legal history, and the lasting influence of Roman law on modern private law.

Readership: Academics and students of Roman law, European legal development, and modern private law.