Legal Definitions - bes

Bes is a historical legal term that refers to two-thirds of a whole. Originating in Roman law, it was used to denote two-thirds of a unit of weight or currency, such as the Roman 'as' (a pound or coin). In the context of civil law, particularly concerning estates, "bes" specifically referred to two-thirds of an inheritance.

• Example 1: Inheritance Division

  Imagine a wealthy Roman citizen who, in his will, stipulated that his eldest son would receive the bes of his entire estate, with the remaining one-third to be divided equally among his other children. This meant the eldest son was legally entitled to two-thirds of all assets, including land, money, and property.

  Explanation: This example illustrates "bes" in its civil law context, where it designates a specific two-thirds share of an inheritance, clearly defining the proportion of the estate the eldest son was to receive.

• Example 2: Ancient Commercial Transaction

  During a trade negotiation in ancient Rome, a merchant agreed to sell a client a bes of a large shipment of olive oil. The total shipment comprised 12 large amphorae (jars). The agreement for a "bes" of the shipment meant the client would receive 8 amphorae of olive oil.

  Explanation: Here, "bes" is used to specify two-thirds of a physical quantity of goods, reflecting its original application in Roman law to denote a fraction of a unit of measure or weight, such as the 'as' (which was divided into 12 unciae, making 8 unciae equal to a bes).