The study of ancient law is distinguished from nearly all other fields of law in that its sources are divided sharply between sources that are intensely material, local and casuistic as opposed to sources that are transmitted almost exclusively through a textual tradition and which have spread over national boundaries and over time to have an almost global reach. For example, Roman law is known through documentary sources from all around the ancient world, from inscriptions and manuscripts, wax tablets and papyri, telling of the law of everyday life and how law was used in conflict resolution. On the other hand, the Justinianic compilation and other manuscripts have enabled Roman law to have an immense influence in later legal cultures, spreading far beyond the borders of the Roman Empire, to places like Japan or America.
The aim of this conference is to explore the implications of this dichotomy. We invite papers that study how archeological excavations and the meticulous study of ancient sources have transformed our idea of ancient law, bringing with it ideas such as diversity or legal pluralism, but equally investigations on how the very act of reception and impact on modern legal cultures has subtly influenced our understanding of ancient law.
The key words are materiality and immateriality, the juxtaposition of a material object such as an inscription and the immaterial ideas of law and jurisprudence.
Within the theme of the conference, we are especially interested in papers that engage:
As is traditional, these examples are not in any way restrictive and we welcome proposals from a broad range of topics. As always, we welcome proposals that represent the entirety of the ancient world, from ancient Mesopotamia to Late Antiquity.
We invite proposals for complete panels and individual papers. As before, a basic panel consists of three papers of 20 minutes and discussion (with a total of 90 minutes), but we also welcome panels with a dedicated commentator or commentators. We encourage thematic proposals that transcend geographic or chronological boundaries.
We are also introducing a few new types of panels or forms of structured presentation for a 90-minute slot. They include the roundtable format (1-2 chairs, 3-4 presenters with 10-minute presentations) with emphasis on discussion, author-meets-readers panel proposals on important recent books (1-2 chairs, 3-4 commentators) as well as skills/pedagogical workshop (chair, 3-4 presenters) that engage in the study and/or teaching of ancient law.
We invite proposals for complete panels and individual papers. A basic panel consists of three papers of 20 minutes and discussion (with a total of 90 minutes), but we also welcome panels with a dedicated commentator or commentators. We encourage thematic proposals that transcend geographic or chronological boundaries.
We are also introducing a few new types of panels or forms of structured presentation for a 90-minute slot. They include the roundtable format (1-2 chairs, 3-4 presenters with 10-minute presentations) with emphasis on discussion, author-meets-readers panel proposals on important recent books (1-2 chairs, 3-4 commentators) as well as skills/pedagogical workshop (chair, 3-4 presenters) that engage in the study and/or teaching of ancient law.
In the abstract, include your name, affiliation and contact details. In case of full panel submission, the panel chair will make the proposal for the whole panel (in a single pdf file) and will act as the contact person for the whole panel.
A single abstract should be no more than 300 words long.
In the panel proposal, include 1) names of all presenters and their roles, 2) titles and abstracts of each presentation.
Abstracts can be submitted in French, English, German, Italian, Latin, or Spanish.
We are looking forward to receiving your individual and panel presentation proposals. Please submit your abstract (max 300 words) by 3 March 2023 via the electronic form.
For questions, please contact sihda2023@helsinki.fi.