This book traces the development of the Fideicommissa (trusts) in Roman law from late republican times to the codification under Justinian, examining an area of Roman law that is thought to have had considerable influence on the common law development of trusts.

Theory, practice, and history: Rudiments; Action and reaction: From republic to empire; Conspiracy of silence: Secret trusts; The dead hand: Perpetuities and settlements; An end to the horror: Trusts on intestacy; Words, deeds, and doubts: Interpretation; Of action and execution: Procedure; From morals to obligations: Evolution