Legal Definitions - lex Rhodia

Definition: Lex Rhodia is a Roman law that governs the subject of jettison. It is the Rhodian law that requires all consignors and the shipmaster to share losses equally. It is also known as lex Rhodia de jactu.

Example: If a ship is in danger of sinking, the shipmaster may decide to throw some cargo overboard to lighten the load and save the ship. According to lex Rhodia, the loss of the cargo should be shared equally among all parties involved, including the consignors and the shipmaster.

Explanation: Lex Rhodia is an ancient law that originated from the people of the island Rhodes, who were known for their commercial prosperity and naval superiority. The law was adopted by the Romans and has been cited as a source of admiralty and maritime law. The example illustrates how the law applies in the case of jettison, where the loss of cargo is shared equally among all parties involved.