Institutionum libri
Ex libro IX
Dig. 1,5,4Florentinus libro nono institutionum. Libertas est naturalis facultas eius quod cuique facere libet, nisi si quid vi aut iure prohibetur. 1Servitus est constitutio iuris gentium, qua quis dominio alieno contra naturam subicitur. 2Servi ex eo appellati sunt, quod imperatores captivos vendere ac per hoc servare nec occidere solent: 3mancipia vero dicta, quod ab hostibus manu capiantur.
Florentinus, Institutes, Book IX. Liberty is the natural power of doing whatever anyone wishes to do unless he is prevented in some way, by force or by law. 1Slavery is an institution of the Law of Nations by means of which anyone may subject one man to the control of another, contrary to nature. 2Slaves are so called for the reason that military commanders were accustomed to sell their captives, and in this manner to preserve them, instead of putting them to death. 3They are styled mancipia, because they are taken by the hands of their enemies.