Description
Book SynopsisAn exploration of the administration of law and its role in the lives of ordinary people in the northern provinces of the Roman Empire. It draws upon a rich but little-known legal collection from the late 3rd century known as the "Codex Hermogenianus".
Trade Review"A very interesting contribution to our picture of the imperial system of petition and response.... Connolly gives us... a synoptic view of what was arguably the most important role of the Roman emperor during the Early Empire." —Michael Peachin, New York University
"The diverse material from the CH, its description, analysis, and proposed contextual explanation, will pique different curiosities in different readers, and Connolly’s carefully argued and overall persuasive book will satisfy them all to some extent." —The European Legacy
"[A] highly thought-provoking as well as finely written and carefully argued work, which will doubtlessly prove useful to those studying the Roman legal system and Diocletian's reign." —Phoenix
"The clear analytical design, up-to-date and well-researched bibliography, and demonstrated capacity for logistic analysis make this a valuable contribution to the social and administrative history of the later Roman Empire." —American Historical Review, 116.1, February 2011
"This is truly a fine book, as readable and engaging as it is insightful.... [I]t should surely be on the shelves of every Roman social and legal historian" —Bryn Mawr Classical Review
Table of ContentsAbbreviations
Preface
Introduction
1. Seeking Justice in the Roman World
Petitioning in the Roman World
2. The Rescript System
The Codex Hermogenianus
The Rescript System in Motion
The Work of the scrinium libellorum
3. The Rescript System in Context
Petitioners
Places
4. Using the System
"With the Law"
"Before the Law"
"Against the Law"
5. The Emperor and his Petitioners
Petitioners in Need: The New Understanding of Poverty
The Roles of the Emperor
Limits on the Emperor
The Nexus of Power: Emperor, Officials, Petitioners
Conclusion
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Map
Notes
Bibliography
Index
