Suspect Inheritances
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Marta García Morcillo
Abstract
This chapter investigates inheritances as a source of conflict, tension and social criticism in Roman society. More specifically, the contribution explores the discursive and rhetoric reception of non-normative posthumous transfers in literature as forms of misbehavior and corruption that challenged established social hierarchies and order. The stereotypical depiction of captatores testamenti as immoral and greedy ‘gold diggers’ and the spread of hybrid forms of transfers that emerged as alternatives to wills - and that were often labelled as suspicious - such as donationes mortis causa and fideicommissa, raised relevant questions about the legitimacy and motivation of testators, donors, heirs and donees. They also inform about social mobility and inequality, about the role of the state as arbiter but also interested party in these private transactions and, ultimately, about the complex relationship between death and wealth.
Abstract
This chapter investigates inheritances as a source of conflict, tension and social criticism in Roman society. More specifically, the contribution explores the discursive and rhetoric reception of non-normative posthumous transfers in literature as forms of misbehavior and corruption that challenged established social hierarchies and order. The stereotypical depiction of captatores testamenti as immoral and greedy ‘gold diggers’ and the spread of hybrid forms of transfers that emerged as alternatives to wills - and that were often labelled as suspicious - such as donationes mortis causa and fideicommissa, raised relevant questions about the legitimacy and motivation of testators, donors, heirs and donees. They also inform about social mobility and inequality, about the role of the state as arbiter but also interested party in these private transactions and, ultimately, about the complex relationship between death and wealth.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Preface VII
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Part 1: The Discourse(s) of and on Corruption
- Twisted Transfers as Corruption 1
- The Corrupted Speak 47
- Civil War and the Corruption of liberalitas in Tacitus’ Histories 65
- Irreversible Corruption 83
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Part 2: Corruption in Social Practice and Daily Life
- Creating Evidence for Corruption 111
- Corruption in Greco-Roman Egypt 129
- Ideas of Corruption in Roman Imperial Ports 145
- Suspect Inheritances 167
- Salvian and the Corrupted Church of Southern Gaul 199
-
Part 3: The Politics and Diplomacy of Corruption
- Corruption and Anti-Corruption 223
- Beyond Crime 257
- Usurpation of (and Corruption Involving) the Right of Roman Citizenship in the Republic 287
- Balkan Promises 307
- Index 335
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Preface VII
-
Part 1: The Discourse(s) of and on Corruption
- Twisted Transfers as Corruption 1
- The Corrupted Speak 47
- Civil War and the Corruption of liberalitas in Tacitus’ Histories 65
- Irreversible Corruption 83
-
Part 2: Corruption in Social Practice and Daily Life
- Creating Evidence for Corruption 111
- Corruption in Greco-Roman Egypt 129
- Ideas of Corruption in Roman Imperial Ports 145
- Suspect Inheritances 167
- Salvian and the Corrupted Church of Southern Gaul 199
-
Part 3: The Politics and Diplomacy of Corruption
- Corruption and Anti-Corruption 223
- Beyond Crime 257
- Usurpation of (and Corruption Involving) the Right of Roman Citizenship in the Republic 287
- Balkan Promises 307
- Index 335
