: Property rights were originally sacred because land contained the family's ancestral tombs. Ownership was not a matter of choice but a religious necessity to protect these burial sites. The Evolution of Law and Institutions
: Souls were believed to live on in their tombs on family land. The living were obligated to provide food and libations to their "manes" (spirits) to ensure the family's prosperity. The Ancient City: A Study of the Religion, Laws...
The book traces how these family-centered beliefs eventually expanded into larger social units like the gens (clans), tribes, and finally the city-state ( polis ). The Ancient City: A Study of the Religion, Laws, and In… : Property rights were originally sacred because land
Fustel argues that for the ancients, religion was the "inspiring breath" of all social organization. Every aspect of civic life—from the layout of a home to the structure of the state—evolved from the cult of the family hearth and the veneration of deceased ancestors. The living were obligated to provide food and
: The sacred fire in each home was a living god that required constant tending. This "domestic cult" was exclusive to each family; no stranger could participate in their rites.