emptio

Emptio is a Latin term that translates to "purchase" or "buying" in English. In legal contexts, particularly in Roman law, it refers to the act of acquiring ownership of something through a sale. It is one of the two essential elements of a contract of sale, the other being *venditio* (selling). Emptio established the buyer's obligation to pay the price, while *venditio* established the seller's obligation to transfer ownership and deliver the thing sold. The agreement between emptor (buyer) and venditor (seller) for the thing and the price constituted the contract of sale. This concept was foundational to the development of contract law in many Western legal traditions. The validity of an emptio typically required the object to be certain or at least determinable, and the price to be a certain sum of money. Disputes surrounding emptio could involve issues of title, quality, and the fulfillment of contractual obligations by both parties. The principles established by Roman law regarding emptio continue to influence modern sales law.