This book explains the rules of Roman law in the light of the society and economy in which it operated. The main topics discussed are the family and inheritance, property and the use of land, commercial transactions and the management of businesses, litigation and how easily the Roman citizen could assert his or her legal rights in practice. The book involves a minimum of legal technicality and is intended to be accessible to students and teachers of Roman history.

"...Johnston has produced an attractive volume that effectively balances the needs of the series in which it appears with the author's desire to provide a fresh look at Roman law..."