ABSTRACT

We observed in the previous chapter that the later Republic witnessed Rome’s rise as the dominant power in the Mediterranean world. This era featured Rome’s territorial expansion and transformation from a small, closed, agrarian community into a commercial empire. Its archaic system of law, imbued with religious and ritualistic elements, was rigid in its application. Thus, it was bound to become stationary and habitually unresponsive to social change. Under the new socio-economic conditions that materialized in an increasingly complex society, it was vital to modify and extend the scope of the law. In response, Roman law broke through the barrier of formalism and was secularized and internationalized. It formed a highly flexible system that could constantly adapt to the requirements of social and commercial life.