Legal Resources from post-classical Roman law until Irnerius

By ebarreirof
  • 438

    Codex Theodosianus

    Codex Theodosianus
    Issued by Emperor Theodosius II, this codex compiled Roman laws from 312 to 438. It covered topics like administration, taxation, and family law, and became the official law in both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires.
  • 476

    Code of Euric

    Code of Euric
    A legal code for the Visigoths under King Euric, blending Roman and Gothic laws, marking the adaptation of Roman law by a barbarian kingdom.
  • 506

    Breviary of Alaric II / Lex Romana Visigothorum

    Breviary of Alaric II / Lex Romana Visigothorum
    Issued by King Alaric II, this was a simplified version of Roman law for Roman subjects under Visigothic rule. It drew from key sources like the Codex Theodosianus or Codex Gregorianus and included an Interpretatio to clarify old legal language. It's contents were:
    - Leges: Imperial laws.
    - Iura: Opinions of classical jurists.
    - Commonitorium: A compulsory text used in trials to standardize legal practice.
  • Period: 529 to 534

    Codex Justinianus

    A collection of earlier Roman laws, divided into 12 books, covering key areas like public and private law. It became the foundation for Byzantine legal practice and had lasting influence on European law.
  • 533

    Instituta

    Instituta
    A basic legal textbook for students, outlining key principles of Roman law, and aligning with the Codex and Digesta.
  • 533

    Digesta

    Digesta
    A 50-book compilation of jurists' opinions, including works by Gaius, Papinian, and Ulpian. It became a reference for legal professionals, shaping judicial decisions and legal education.
  • 534

    Novellae

    Novellae
    New laws issued by Justinian, covering areas not included in the earlier codifications.
  • Period: 572 to 586

    Leovigild's Codex Revisus

    This was a revision of the earlier Code of Euric, a legal code created for the Visigoths. It played a vital role in consolidating Visigothic legal traditions and was an important step toward the later Liber Iudiciorum. It likely contained legal reforms reflecting Leovigild’s push for stronger monarchical authority and territorial unification.
  • 654

    Reccesvinth's Liber Iudiciorum

    Reccesvinth's Liber Iudiciorum
    Also known as the Visigothic Code or Fuero Juzgo (in its later Spanish form), this legal code was promulgated under King Reccesvinth, incorporating laws from previous Visigothic kings.
    The code applied to both Romans and Visigoths, unifying legal standards across the kingdom, regardless of ethnicity.
    It established the same laws for everyone living within the Visigothic kingdom’s borders.
  • 1120

    Irnerius' Corpus Iuris Civilis (Body of Civil Law)

    Irnerius' Corpus Iuris Civilis (Body of Civil Law)
    Foundational text for the development of modern civil law in Europe. It was rediscovered and taught in the University of Bologna. Marked the beginning of the European legal renaissance.
    - Digestum Vetus (Books 1-24.2): The first section of the Digesta, which contained the legal writings and opinions of Roman jurists on various legal matters.
    - Infortiatum (Books 24.3-38.17): The second section of the Digesta, focusing on civil law, contracts, and obligations.
  • 1120

    Irnerius' Corpus Iuris Civilis (Body of Civil Law)

    Irnerius' Corpus Iuris Civilis (Body of Civil Law)
    • Digestum Novum (Books 39.1-50.17): The final section of the Digesta, covering topics such as criminal law and public law.
    • Codex (First Nine Books): This was a compilation of imperial constitutions issued by Roman emperors up to Justinian’s time. It provided a legal framework for many areas of public and private law.
    • Volume Parvum: This smaller volume contained three parts: Institutes, Tres Libri and Novellae.