Throughout its history, Europe has been influenced by Roman culture, which had a strong sense of society and was highly legal-minded. Hence, Roman law is of major importance in European thinking. It was the first subject to be taught at European universities and it remains tightly interwoven with all layers of European civilization. In Amne adverso , Laurent Waelkens provides an introduction to the history of Roman law and its institutions, as they developed from antiquity until the nineteenth century. Concepts such as fundamental rights and freedoms, lawsuits, family law, rights in rem, and obligations have their origins in classical antiquity and were developed further throughout European history. Waelkens treats Roman legal heritage from the perspective of comparative legal history. 'Finally an English-language book that treats the dogmatic history of Roman law in full length.' - Boudewijn Sirks, Emeritus Regius Professor of Civil Law, University of Oxford 'This is an excellent book aimed at students and intended to develop student interest and giving them considerable knowledge to understand Roman law. It provides a coherent point of view, and stresses the different contexts of Roman law, in a healthy and fruitful way. An up-to-date book, which takes into account the most recent learning and publications in the field.' -; Professor John W. Cairns, University of Edinburgh [...] truly useful and insightful, and it can be recommended to all. John Cairns, The Edinburgh Legal History Blog, 05/11/2015 This textbook deserves high evaluation also because of the fact that the author's aim is not only to provide a student with a certain quantum of knowledge, but also to show the way of thinking and working methods of the Roman jurists and the jurists of subsequent periods. Paulina Święcicka, Krakowskie Studia z Historii Państwa i Prawa 2016; 9 (4), s. 567-579, doi:10.4467/20844131KS.16.029.6329 This is an excellent book aimed at students and intended to develop student interest and giving them considerable knowledge to understand Roman law. It provides a coherent point of view, and stresses the different contexts of Roman law, in a healthy and fruitful way. An up-to-date book, which takes into account the most recent learning and publications in the field. -- John W. Cairns, University of Edinburgh