Roman law

Roman law considered the unborn a “potential person.”

This was, he said, “akin to the ancient Roman laws requiring that sacrifices be made to Caesar.”

Under Roman law slaves were considered property and had no legal personhood.

"As it was part of the Roman army, directly or indirectly, the severity of punishments and the enforcement of Roman law would have been more severe at the Somersham settlements," she said.

Throughout Europe, wherever the influence of Roman law was felt, the law concerned itself with the factum—the deed, or crime.