Concept
Roman law
Overview
Roman law is the legal system of ancient Rome, including the legal developments spanning over a thousand years of jurisprudence, from the Twelve Tables (c. 449 BC), to the Corpus Juris Civilis (AD 529) ordered by Eastern Roman emperor Justinian I.
Roman law also denoted the legal system applied in most of Western Europe until the end of the 18th century. In Germany, Roman law practice remained in place longer under the Holy Roman Empire (963–1806). Roman law thus served as a basis for legal practice throughout Western continental Europe, as well as in most former colonies of these European nations, including Latin America, and also in Ethiopia.
English and Anglo-American common law were influenced also by Roman law, notably in their Latinate legal glossary. Eastern Europe was also influenced by the jurisprudence of the Corpus Juris Civilis, especially in countries such as medieval Romania, which created a new legal system comprising a mixture of Roman and local law.
After the dissolution of the Western Roman Empire, the Roman law remained in effect in the Byzantine Empire. From the 7th century onward, the legal language in the East was Greek, with Eastern European law continuing to be influenced by Byzantine law.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
It was a mere speculation on the chance of a law-suit, in which they were to divide the spoils if successful, and to lose nothing if they failed.[85] It was by our law a criminal purchase of a pretense title, 32. H. 8. 9. and equally criminal by the law of that territory, where I presume the provision of the Roman law is in force, 'qui improbè coeunt in alienam litem, ut quidquid ex condemnatione in rem ipsius…
Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 8
States what Roman law is; opens on Roman law.
Apprenticeships were altogether unknown to the ancients. The reciprocal duties of master and apprentice make a considerable article in every modern code. The Roman law is perfectly silent with regard to them.
Adam Smith, An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
States what Roman law is; names Roman law.
A young man naturally conceives an aversion to labour, when for a long time he receives no benefit from it. The boys who are put out apprentices from public charities are generally bound for more than the usual number of years, and they generally turn out very idle and worthless. Apprenticeships were altogether unknown to the ancients. The reciprocal duties of master and apprentice make a considerable article in…
Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
States what Roman law is; names Roman law.
Philosophers who discussed Roman law
- Carneades
- Friedrich Carl von Savigny
- Jews
- Jean Bodin
- Giorgio Agamben
- Nicole Oresme
- Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda
- Christian Thomasius
- Tony Honoré
- Rudolf von Jhering
- Giovanni Niccolò Muscat
Related ideas
- Eastern Orthodox Church
- Germany
- Athens
- Justinian I
- Jurisprudence
- Byzantine Empire
- Ancient Greek philosophy
- South Africa
- Livy
- Middle Ages
- Law
- Contract
- Bologna
- Roman emperor
- William Blackstone
- Roman Empire
- Roman Republic
- University of Cambridge
- Separation of powers
- University of Oxford
- Western Europe
- Kingdom of England
- Magna Graecia
- Battle of Actium
Opposing perspectives
Place in the tradition
Part of Jurisprudence.