El receptum nautarum y el papiro grenf. ii 108

Abstract

The study of the receptum nautarum, presents among other difficulties, that of establishing the juridical meaning of the verb recipere, to which the lack of Roman world documents that record the maritime transport is added.  With respect to the first one, it seems right to tend to prefer the meaning of "to promise."  As to the second one, part of the Romanistic studies has ruled out the initially assumed appropriateness of the P. Grenf II 108, from the II Century A.D. However, it cannot be ruled out at all that such a document refers not to the conclusion of the receptum nautarum, but to a receipt given by the docker to the ship operator.  The purpose of that document could be useful for certifying the correct compliance with the "received-for-shipment" business or, at least, with the corresponding locatio conductio.