The article focuses on aspects of popular actions and similar structures in Rome as discussed extensively in 19th and 20th century legal history scholarship. Only the actiones populares included in praetorian edicts are defined as such by the Roman jurists. Among those, the Digest includes an actio popularis in Gai.17 ad ed. provinc.D.29,5,25,2.
However, this passage shows some remarkable differences in comparison to the other actions. That is why its origin as an
actio popularis has been strongly disputed. This study aims to revisit this wrongful exclusion from the area of the
actiones populares. 7he classification oI the Gaius fragment will be explained by comparing it to similar structures such as the SCC de aquaeductibus and by tracing its roots back to the iudicia publica. In the end, D.29, 5, 25, 2 might be considered as much more in line with the other popular actions than as yet ascertained.