Did the Twelve Tables limit interest?

Abstract

This paper takes note of developments in research concerning the Twelve Tables within the last decennia. In consequence of these findings a question concerning the authenticity of one of the provisions, which is traditionally included in the reconstructions of this legislation, is raised. Two new ideas have come to the fore, first, the hypothesis of Humbert in respect of the exact meaning of the legislation of the Twelve Tables and, secondly, a constructive deconstruction of the so-called system of the Twelve Tables or the sequence of the texts. After a short discussion of these developments I wish to pose the question whether the verses relating to the limit on interest, namely Tables 8 18 a and b, should be included in a new reconstruction. AFRIKAANS: Resente navorsing betreffende die Twaalf Tafels het die aard en sisteem van hierdie kodifikasie bevraagteken. Hierdie artikel neem kennis van die bevindings van hierdie navorsing en stel gevolglik die vraag of Tafels 8 18 a en b, wat die beperking op rente bevat, in moderne rekonstruksies opgeneem moet word. Aan die hand van Livius asook die onlangse bevindings van Pikulska, Salazar Revuelta en De Martino word die hipotese aan die hand gedoen dat die eerste beperking op rente in die lex Duilia Menenia in 357 v C opgeneem is. Die vraag of rente in die eerste fase van monetisering maandeliks dan wel jaarliks betaalbaar was, is op basis van die huidige gegewens moeilik om te beantwoord.