The slave is a human person. Fernão Pérez’s De restitutione and the debate on slavery in early modern Portugal. By Maria Madalena Brito. (Law and Religion in the Early Modern Period, 6.) Pp. xxii + 367. Paderborn: Brill-Schöningh, 2024. €130. 978 3 506 79486 4; 2629 6926

Key Points

• The research explores the legal perspectives of Fernão Pérez regarding slavery and humanity in early modern Portugal.
• Analysis of Fernão Pérez’s text 'De restitutione'
• Examination of historical and legal context of slavery
• Discussion of moral and philosophical implications
• Argues that slaves possess inherent human rights
• Sheds light on the evolving legal frameworks around slavery
• Highlights the interplay between law, religion, and morality in discussions of personhood

Abstract