Chapter 3: Justinian, Tribonian, and Irnerius: How Statesmen and Scholars Rescued Roman Law (Twice)

  • civil law – The legal tradition rooted in Roman codification.

  • Twelve Tables – Rome’s earliest public, written legal code.

  • Decemvirs – The ten officials charged with drafting the Twelve Tables.

  • special legislation – Laws created for particular cases or individuals, not general principles.

  • jurisconsults – Legal experts whose interpretations shaped Roman law.

  • Forum – The civic center where Rome’s legal and political life converged.

  • English common law – A legal system that evolved from Roman law but is based on judicial precedent.

  • Praetors – Roman magistrates responsible for administering justice.

  • Papinian – A preeminent Roman jurist whose writings influenced legal thought.

  • Justinian – The Byzantine emperor who codified and consolidated Roman law.

  • Tribonian – The leading legal scholar who organized Justinian’s legal compilations.

  • Code – The comprehensive collection of imperial laws under Justinian.

  • Institutes – A textbook summarizing the core principles of Roman law within Justinian’s system.

  • Digest – A compilation of legal opinions and writings.

  • Novels – Additional laws issued by Justinian following the initial codification.

  • Corpus Juris Civilis – The complete body of civil law compiled under Justinian.

  • jus civilis – The law applicable specifically to Roman citizens.

  • jus gentium – The law governing relations between Romans and non-Romans.

  • Romano-Germanic legal system – The synthesis of Roman legal principles with Germanic customs.

  • Irnerius – A medieval scholar credited with reviving the study of Roman law.

  • Glossators – Scholars who annotated and clarified Roman legal texts.

  • Commentators – Later experts who expanded on the glossators’ interpretations.

  • Bartolus – A prominent medieval jurist whose work influenced European legal systems.

  • Napoleonic Code – The French legal system inspired by Roman codification.

  • Jean Portalis – One of the principal architects of the Napoleonic Code.

  • civil law systems – Modern legal frameworks derived from the Roman tradition of codified law.