Abstract

GILTAIJ, Jacob. Existimatio as "human dignity" in late-classical Roman law. Fundamina (Pretoria) [online]. 2016, vol.22, n.2, pp.232-249. ISSN 2411-7870.  https://doi.org/10.17159/2411-7870/2016/v22n2a3.

Even though there are similarities between the two notions, in antiquity the term dignitas generally speaking does not have the same meaning as our modern idea of "human dignity". However, there is a possibility that for "human dignity" some Roman jurists actually used a term different from dignitas, namely existimatio. This article examines whether the term existimatio in the work of one Roman jurist in particular may be seen as akin to our modern conception of "human dignity", and, if so, what the scope and origin of existimatio in the late-classical Roman legal sources were.

Keywords : Dignity; human dignity; Roman law; Roman criminal law; Callistratus.

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