Scholars trace the beginnings of terra nullius a legal doctrine to the Roman law principle of res nullius (“a thing without owner”) (Banner 2005). Tellingly, as the Roman Empire grew, terra nullius came to describe all lands beyond the imperial boundaries. In Romano-centric jurisprudence, these lands were by definition not “owned” by anyone and were fair game for annexation....terra nullius faithfully re-enacted the Euro-Christian dogma of creation: something providential arising from nothing (ex nihilo). It was but a short and convenient step to inscribe ownerlessness on emptiness (terra nullius)— a void awaiting the dominion of monotheists and their laws.