Legal Definitions - aes suum

Aes suum refers to money that a lender provides to a borrower. In ancient Roman law, this term specifically designated the funds that an individual advanced to another, creating a debt obligation. Essentially, it was the lender's own capital that was being put forth as a loan.

• Example 1: Imagine a wealthy Roman citizen named Marcus who has accumulated significant funds. His neighbor, Lucius, needs money to purchase a new plot of land for farming. Marcus agrees to lend Lucius a substantial sum, expecting repayment with interest.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the money Marcus lends to Lucius is considered aes suum. It represents Marcus's own funds that he has provided to Lucius, establishing a debt relationship under Roman legal principles.

• Example 2: A Roman merchant, Cornelia, sells expensive textiles. A customer, Julia, wishes to buy a large order but doesn't have all the cash immediately available. Cornelia, trusting Julia's reputation, extends credit by lending her the necessary funds to complete the purchase, to be repaid over several months.

  Explanation: Here, the money Cornelia lends to Julia to facilitate the textile purchase is aes suum. It is Cornelia's capital that she has advanced to Julia, creating a debt that Julia is obligated to repay.

• Example 3: A respected Roman patron, Gaius, decides to support a promising young artisan, Decimus, who wants to open his own workshop. Gaius provides Decimus with a substantial loan to cover the initial costs of materials, tools, and rent.

  Explanation: The funds Gaius provides to Decimus constitute aes suum. These are Gaius's personal resources that he has lent to Decimus, enabling Decimus to establish his business and incurring a debt that Decimus must eventually settle.