Abstract
The paper focuses on praescriptio longi temporis and its development in Roman law. Originally, it was a form of defence and it offered further protection to foreigners and possessors of provincial land, who suffered under unfavourable conditions, as they could not benefit from usucapio.
Gradually, praescriptio longi temporis became generally applicable and was substantially reformed by East Roman emperor Justinian I, who made it definitively similar to usucapio. Finally, praescriptio longissimi temporis, further prescriptive institution, is presented, which appeared in the fourth century.
It nearly replaced usucapio and praescriptio longi temporis for a period of time and was reformed by emperor Justinian I as well. To sum up, the main aim of this paper is to describe the evolution of praescriptio longi temporis and to examine its various characteristic in each period in detail.