The Origin and Early History of Insurance

The Ancient and Medieval Roots of InsuranceThis richly detailed history examines the: "(i) origin and development of the contract of Bottomry and Respondentia down to the 11th century A.D. (ii) the traces of methods of insurance other than life known to the Ancients (iii) The Question whether life assurance was known and practised by the Romans or their predecessors (iv) The history of the development of mediæval insurance in the Low Countries from the family group system and of modern insurance therefrom" (1)." Originally submitted as a thesis to the University of London by the late Dr. C.F. Trenerry, whose intention it was to recast it for publication. Edited by Ethel L. Gover and Agnes S. Paul. CONTENTSIntroduction and SummaryPART IOrigin and Development of Contract of Bottomry and Respondentia Down to the 11th Century A.D.CH. I The Origin and Development of the Contract of BottomryCH. II The Origin of the Contract of Bottomry, Prior to 250 B.C.CH. III The Contract as Known to the HindusCH. IV The Contract as Known to the GreeksCH. V The Contract as Known to the RomansPART IITraces of Methods of Insurance Other than Life Known to the AncientsCH. VI Marine Insurance (Other than Bottomry) Practised by the RomansCH. VII Contracts of Indemnity Used by the RomansPART IIIWhether Life Assurance was Known to the AncientsCH. VIII Life Assurance as Known to the RomansCH. IX Probability that the Romans Had Some Means by which Loss Arising through Death Might be Reduced or NullifiedCH. X Allusions to Longevity, Mortality, Etc., by Early WritersCH. XI Sufficiency of the Knowledge of Mathematics and of Finance Possessed by the Romans During the Early Empire for the Calculations RequiredCH. XII Tables of Annuity Values Which Were Sanctioned by the Roman Law for Purposes of the Lex Falcidia CH. XIII Actuarial Knowledge Not Essential for Transaction of Life Assurance BusinessCH. XIV Manner of Making Contracts of Non-mutual Life Assurance and of Transacting the Legal Part of the BusinessCH. XV Nature and Essential Parts of a Contract of Life AssuranceCH. XVI Societies Among the Greeks and Romans Which Provided Funds at Death or Members for Burial or Other Purposes, With or Without Other BenefitsCH. XVII The Roman Civilian (I.E. Non-Military) SocietiesCH. XVIII The Roman Veterans' SocietiesCH. XIX The Roman Military SocietiesCH. XX Non-Mutual Contracts for Payment on Death of a Person or Persons as Known to the RomansCH. XXI Examination of Other Extracts from Roman Law which Deal with Contracts of a Similar NaturePART IVDevelopment of Modern Insurance from the Family Group System as Exemplified in BelgiumCH. XXII Derivation of Modern InsuranceCH. XXIII Development of Communal Insurance from Family Group SystemCH. XXIV Non-Mutual Insurance Between 1227 and 1310CH. XXV Marine InsuranceCH. XXVI Life AssuranceCH. XXVII Marine and Other Insurance in Other CountriesAPPENDICESBIBLIOGRAPHY