Roman Law and the Legal World of the Romans

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account for their management of the property. But that does not appear to be the proper action to be used in any of the cases attested elsewhere in the archive. This has given rise to many theories and questions, but it is hard to answer any of them without assuming answers to the others. Who is the source of this Greek translation of what was pre- • sumably a Latin original? If it came from the governor and his staff, was it part of a general publication, or did they provide it to fit Babatha’s situation, or did they provide it by specific request (without caring what it would be used for)? Did the vagueness of the formula allow it to be used in • a broader variety of circumstances in the provinces? Was it meant for an unattested (and perhaps much later) action? Was it perhaps simply the wrong document to file altogether?

[27] Pliny, Letters 68 and 69

Pliny to Emperor Trajan

Since many have petitioned that, in accord with the example of (previous) governors, I permit them to transfer the remains of their family members on account of the ravages of age or flooding or other similar reasons, and since I know that in Rome application is normally made to the college of Pontiffs in such cases, I thought that I should ask you, my lord, the Chief Pontiff, what you would prefer I do.

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