Corporeality and Fungibility in Roman Property Law: Reflections in Light of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

Abstract

This article reconsiders the concepts of corporeality and fungibility within Roman property law and assesses their continuing relevance for the classification of digital assets, with particular reference to non-fungible tokens (NFTs). While NFTs provide the stimulus for this inquiry, the central analysis focuses on Roman law’s distinction between res fungibiles (fungible things) and res nec fungibiles (non-fungible things), as well as the broader implications of corporeality and identification in property classification. Drawing on classical Latin legal sources, this study examines how Roman jurists conceptualised materiality and interchangeability and how these notions shaped doctrines of possession, ownership, and contractual obligations. The discussion highlights that Roman distinctions between fungible and non-fungible goods, as well as between corporeal and incorporeal property, were not merely technical but carried significant legal consequences, insights that remain pertinent as modern legal systems grapple with the status of digital property. By situating NFTs within this historical framework, the article argues that Roman legal principles continue to provide a coherent theoretical foundation for addressing questions of ownership, transferability, and legal recognition in the digital age. Rather than offering definitive answers about digital ownership, the study proposes that the Roman concepts of fungibility and corporeality can enrich contemporary debates and guide the development of more consistent frameworks for emerging forms of property.

Keywords

• Roman Law
• Property Law
• Fungibility
• Corporeality
• Identification
• Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)

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