An Ancient Code the Basis of Modern Law

The "Era of Justinian" (483-565 A. D.) is one of the most important epochs in the history of the world. It was the era in which the civil law of the Roman Empire was sifted from the rubbish of centuries and reduced to a code. The code was the siftings of almost thirteen centuries, from the founding of the City of Rome, 753 B. C. The task was begun under the patronage of Justinian, Emperor of the East. Ten of the most distinguished jurists, with the great lawyer, Tribonian, at their head, worked assiduously for fourteen months, the Emperor himself giving instructions as to the nature and extent of the work. At the end of that time the code was completed, and it was published by Justinian in twelve books. This system of jurisprudence remained in force in the Eastern Empire until the taking of Constantinople, in 1453 A. D. A German lawyer, who had studied in Constantinople, opened a law school at Bologna, and thus revived a knowledge of the Roman civil law. Students from all countries flocked to this school; by them the Justinian code of law was transmitted to most of the countries of Europe, and it forms to-day the basis of European law, England being a notable exception.