HISTORY OF ROMAN LAW

Course objectives

The course aims to the knowledge of the Roman legal-religious system, in its historical development through the centuries, from the age of the regnum to the libera res publica, up to the orbis Romanus of the age of the Empire and, therefore, up to the consonantia between imperium and sacerdotium theorized by the Emperor Justinian.

Channel 1
FRANCO VALLOCCHIA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The Course will focus on the "ius publicum" [public] and will have the prerequisite knowledge of the text of the Liber singularis enchiridii Pomponio (jurist who lived in the second century AD) included in Digesta of Justinian. This text will be provided language translation Italian. The course will be divided into two sections: I]- General section 1)Kingdom (753-509 BC): A) Rex; urbs. B) Senatus; populus; sacerdotes. C) Ius-fas. 2) Republic (509 - 28-23 BC): A) Populus; senatus. B) Sacerdotes; magistratus patricii; tribuni plebis. 3) Latium, Italia; provinciae. 4), Civitates foederatae; coloniae; municipia. 5) XII Tables; leges; senatusconsulta; ius honorarium; iurisprudentia. 3) Empire (28-23 BC): A) Princeps; lex de imperio. B) Populus; exercitus; senatus.C) Sacerdotes, magistratus (princeps pontifex maximus). D) Officia (the imperial administration). E) Aerarium populi Romani; fiscus Caesaris. F) Constitutiones principum; ius respondendi; iura and leges. 4 Urbs Roma - orbis Romanus: A) constitutio Antoniniana (212 AD). B) The foundation of Constantinople (326-330 AD) New Rome (381 AD). C) The idea of Rome in the West and in the East. 5) Justinian and the "codification" of the ius Romanum (528-565 AD): A) Institutiones; Digesta; Codex. B) Novellae. II]- Special section 1) Ius (publicum) and lex (publica) 2) People, magistratus, priests
Prerequisites
Exceeding the examination of Institutions of Roman law. It is necessary the knowledge of the text of the Liber singularis enchiridii of the jurist Pomponio in D. 1. 2. 2. pr.-53 (whose translation in Italian is available in http://dbtvm1.ilc.cnr.it/digesto).
Books
1) Sources (and translations): − N.Palazzolo - F.Arcaria - O.Licandro - L.Maggio (a cura di), Ab Urbe condita. Fonti per la storia del diritto romano dall’età regia a Giustiniano (3^ edizione), Torre editore, Catania, 2002 2) Bibliography: − Giuseppe Grosso, Lezioni di storia del diritto romano (5^ edizione), Giappichelli editore, Torino 1965 [limited to the following parts: Cap. II; Cap. III (paragrafi da 31 a 33); Cap. IV; Cap. V; Cap. VI; Cap. VII (paragrafi da 52 a 58); Cap. IX; Cap. X; Cap. XI; Cap. XII; Cap. XIII; Cap. XVII; Cap. XVIII; Cap. XIX (paragrafi da 194 a 199); Cap. XXI; Cap. XXII (paragrafi da 227 a 231); Cap. XXV (paragrafi da 252 a 259)] − Franco Vallocchia, Collegi sacerdotali ed assemblee popolari nella repubblica romana, Giappichelli editore, Torino, 2008 [limited to the following pages: 1-89, 111-203, 247-265]
Teaching mode
The course is essentially based on Roman sources and in particular on the legal sources and texts that make up the Corpus Iuris Civilis, with particular reference to the Justinian Digests. Every source is given translation in Italian. The aim of the course is the knowledge of the Roman legal-religious system, in its historical development through the centuries up to Justinian, in order to mature the awareness of the Roman foundations of today's Italian legal system, to be understood within the larger legal system so-called 'Civil (Roman) law'.
Frequency
During the lessons will be examined Roman, modern and contemporary legal sources. Students will be able to use the Italian-language translations listed in the reference text related to the 'Sources' or provided by the teacher during the lessons.
Exam mode
Oral examination. To pass the exam you must obtain a grade of not less than 18/30. The student must demonstrate that he has acquired sufficient knowledge of the subjects. To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must demonstrate that he has acquired excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to link them in a logical and consistent way.
Bibliography
Thedor Mommsen, Römisches Staatsrecht (= Le droit public romain) Francesco De Martino, Storia della costituzione romana Pierangelo Catalano, Populus Romanus Quirites, Giappichelli, Torino 1974 Feliciano Serrao, Classi partiti e legge nella repubblica romana, Pisa 1975 Giovanni Lobrano, Diritto pubblico romano e costituzionalismi moderni, Delfino, Sassari 1989
Lesson mode
The course is essentially based on Roman sources and in particular on the legal sources and texts that make up the Corpus Iuris Civilis, with particular reference to the Justinian Digests. Every source is given translation in Italian. The aim of the course is the knowledge of the Roman legal-religious system, in its historical development through the centuries up to Justinian, in order to mature the awareness of the Roman foundations of today's Italian legal system, to be understood within the larger legal system so-called 'Civil (Roman) law'.
FRANCO VALLOCCHIA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The Course will focus on the "ius publicum" [public] and will have the prerequisite knowledge of the text of the Liber singularis enchiridii Pomponio (jurist who lived in the second century AD) included in Digesta of Justinian. This text will be provided language translation Italian. The course will be divided into two sections: I]- General section 1)Kingdom (753-509 BC): A) Rex; urbs. B) Senatus; populus; sacerdotes. C) Ius-fas. 2) Republic (509 - 28-23 BC): A) Populus; senatus. B) Sacerdotes; magistratus patricii; tribuni plebis. 3) Latium, Italia; provinciae. 4), Civitates foederatae; coloniae; municipia. 5) XII Tables; leges; senatusconsulta; ius honorarium; iurisprudentia. 3) Empire (28-23 BC): A) Princeps; lex de imperio. B) Populus; exercitus; senatus.C) Sacerdotes, magistratus (princeps pontifex maximus). D) Officia (the imperial administration). E) Aerarium populi Romani; fiscus Caesaris. F) Constitutiones principum; ius respondendi; iura and leges. 4 Urbs Roma - orbis Romanus: A) constitutio Antoniniana (212 AD). B) The foundation of Constantinople (326-330 AD) New Rome (381 AD). C) The idea of Rome in the West and in the East. 5) Justinian and the "codification" of the ius Romanum (528-565 AD): A) Institutiones; Digesta; Codex. B) Novellae. II]- Special section 1) Ius (publicum) and lex (publica) 2) People, magistratus, priests
Prerequisites
Exceeding the examination of Institutions of Roman law. It is necessary the knowledge of the text of the Liber singularis enchiridii of the jurist Pomponio in D. 1. 2. 2. pr.-53 (whose translation in Italian is available in http://dbtvm1.ilc.cnr.it/digesto).
Books
1) Sources (and translations): − N.Palazzolo - F.Arcaria - O.Licandro - L.Maggio (a cura di), Ab Urbe condita. Fonti per la storia del diritto romano dall’età regia a Giustiniano (3^ edizione), Torre editore, Catania, 2002 2) Bibliography: − Giuseppe Grosso, Lezioni di storia del diritto romano (5^ edizione), Giappichelli editore, Torino 1965 [limited to the following parts: Cap. II; Cap. III (paragrafi da 31 a 33); Cap. IV; Cap. V; Cap. VI; Cap. VII (paragrafi da 52 a 58); Cap. IX; Cap. X; Cap. XI; Cap. XII; Cap. XIII; Cap. XVII; Cap. XVIII; Cap. XIX (paragrafi da 194 a 199); Cap. XXI; Cap. XXII (paragrafi da 227 a 231); Cap. XXV (paragrafi da 252 a 259)] − Franco Vallocchia, Collegi sacerdotali ed assemblee popolari nella repubblica romana, Giappichelli editore, Torino, 2008 [limited to the following pages: 1-89, 111-203, 247-265]
Teaching mode
The course is essentially based on Roman sources and in particular on the legal sources and texts that make up the Corpus Iuris Civilis, with particular reference to the Justinian Digests. Every source is given translation in Italian. The aim of the course is the knowledge of the Roman legal-religious system, in its historical development through the centuries up to Justinian, in order to mature the awareness of the Roman foundations of today's Italian legal system, to be understood within the larger legal system so-called 'Civil (Roman) law'.
Frequency
During the lessons will be examined Roman, modern and contemporary legal sources. Students will be able to use the Italian-language translations listed in the reference text related to the 'Sources' or provided by the teacher during the lessons.
Exam mode
Oral examination. To pass the exam you must obtain a grade of not less than 18/30. The student must demonstrate that he has acquired sufficient knowledge of the subjects. To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must demonstrate that he has acquired excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to link them in a logical and consistent way.
Bibliography
Thedor Mommsen, Römisches Staatsrecht (= Le droit public romain) Francesco De Martino, Storia della costituzione romana Pierangelo Catalano, Populus Romanus Quirites, Giappichelli, Torino 1974 Feliciano Serrao, Classi partiti e legge nella repubblica romana, Pisa 1975 Giovanni Lobrano, Diritto pubblico romano e costituzionalismi moderni, Delfino, Sassari 1989
Lesson mode
The course is essentially based on Roman sources and in particular on the legal sources and texts that make up the Corpus Iuris Civilis, with particular reference to the Justinian Digests. Every source is given translation in Italian. The aim of the course is the knowledge of the Roman legal-religious system, in its historical development through the centuries up to Justinian, in order to mature the awareness of the Roman foundations of today's Italian legal system, to be understood within the larger legal system so-called 'Civil (Roman) law'.
Channel 2
ANTONIO SACCOCCIO Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
1. Law (ius) and justice (iustitia). The law and its partitions: public and private law; civil law, the law of the foreigners (ius gentium) natural law; Civil Law, honorary. Sources of production of law: laws, plebiscites, senatus, constitutions of the prince, edicts of magistrates, lawyers' opinions, customs and mores. 2. The Compilation of Justinian; other sources of the law. 3. The origins: ancient structures and 'foundation'. 4. The monarchy. 5. The Twelve Tables 6. The republican constitution: the patrician-plebeian conflict 7. The republican constitution: the magistrates; the senate; the popular assemblies. 8. The Roman jurisprudence and the process. 9. The organization of Italy and the provinces. 10. The imperial republic from Augustus to Justinian.
Prerequisites
It is required to pass the exam of Institutions of Roman Law.
Books
1) G. GROSSO, Lezioni di storia del diritto romano, Torino, Giappichelli, 1965, 4 ed.; or 2) A. PETRUCCI, Corso di diritto pubblico romano, Giappichelli, 2012 or 3) P. Buongiorno-M.Varvaro, Percorsi di storia del diritto romano, Editoriale scientifica, Napoli, 2024
Teaching mode
Lessons ex cathedra; exercices; seminars
Frequency
It is highly recommended frequency. Attending students can participate to tests before the examination
Exam mode
The exam consists of a single test and is held orally. To achieve the sufficiency (18/30) the student must first of all demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental institutes of Roman public law; secondly, the examinee must be able to grasp the links that link the various institutions of Roman public law to each other, in a coherent and homogeneous framework. In order to achieve a higher evaluation, the student must also demonstrate that he has acquired the method of legal argumentation, expressing himself with an adequate and correct property of language. The test is considered passed with full marks (30/30 cum laude) if the candidate shows a particular capacity for in-depth analysis and for a logical and coherent connection between the various institutes.
Lesson mode
Lessons ex cathedra; exercices; seminars
ANTONIO SACCOCCIO Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
1. Law (ius) and justice (iustitia). The law and its partitions: public and private law; civil law, the law of the foreigners (ius gentium) natural law; Civil Law, honorary. Sources of production of law: laws, plebiscites, senatus, constitutions of the prince, edicts of magistrates, lawyers' opinions, customs and mores. 2. The Compilation of Justinian; other sources of the law. 3. The origins: ancient structures and 'foundation'. 4. The monarchy. 5. The Twelve Tables 6. The republican constitution: the patrician-plebeian conflict 7. The republican constitution: the magistrates; the senate; the popular assemblies. 8. The Roman jurisprudence and the process. 9. The organization of Italy and the provinces. 10. The imperial republic from Augustus to Justinian.
Prerequisites
It is required to pass the exam of Institutions of Roman Law.
Books
1) G. GROSSO, Lezioni di storia del diritto romano, Torino, Giappichelli, 1965, 4 ed.; or 2) A. PETRUCCI, Corso di diritto pubblico romano, Giappichelli, 2012 or 3) P. Buongiorno-M.Varvaro, Percorsi di storia del diritto romano, Editoriale scientifica, Napoli, 2024
Teaching mode
Lessons ex cathedra; exercices; seminars
Frequency
It is highly recommended frequency. Attending students can participate to tests before the examination
Exam mode
The exam consists of a single test and is held orally. To achieve the sufficiency (18/30) the student must first of all demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental institutes of Roman public law; secondly, the examinee must be able to grasp the links that link the various institutions of Roman public law to each other, in a coherent and homogeneous framework. In order to achieve a higher evaluation, the student must also demonstrate that he has acquired the method of legal argumentation, expressing himself with an adequate and correct property of language. The test is considered passed with full marks (30/30 cum laude) if the candidate shows a particular capacity for in-depth analysis and for a logical and coherent connection between the various institutes.
Lesson mode
Lessons ex cathedra; exercices; seminars
Channel 3
ELENA TASSI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course is divided into four parts: PART ONE: THE MONARCHY PART TWO: THE REPUBLIC PART THREE: THE EMPIRE PART FOUR: THE TOOLS OF ROMANIST RESEARCH
Prerequisites
There are no specific requirements to understand the teaching content. Knowledge of Latin is useful but not essential. The Latin texts are translated.
Books
Students: Course Book: L. CAPOGROSSI COLOGNESI, Storia di Roma tra Diritto e potere. La formazione di un ordinamento giuridico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014. Further and more specific bibliographic references will be shown during the course. Non-attending Students: Course Books: L. CAPOGROSSI COLOGNESI, Storia di Roma tra Diritto e potere. La formazione di un ordinamento giuridico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014. R. LAMBERTINI, Introduzione allo studio esegetico del diritto romano, Bologna, Edizioni Clueb, Bologna, 1996 (III edizione 2006) pp. 11-31; 59-62; 64-69; 71-79; 99-126.
Teaching mode
The didactic model adopted includes lectures (parts 1, 2, 3) and practical lessons (part 4).
Exam mode
To pass the exam you must get a grade not less than 18/30. The student must demonstrate that he has acquired sufficient knowledge of the topics indicated in the different parts of the program. To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must demonstrate that he has acquired excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to link them in a logical and consistent way.
Lesson mode
The didactic model adopted includes lectures (parts 1, 2, 3) and practical lessons (part 4).
ELENA TASSI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course is divided into four parts: PART ONE: THE MONARCHY PART TWO: THE REPUBLIC PART THREE: THE EMPIRE PART FOUR: THE TOOLS OF ROMANIST RESEARCH
Prerequisites
There are no specific requirements to understand the teaching content. Knowledge of Latin is useful but not essential. The Latin texts are translated.
Books
Students: Course Book: L. CAPOGROSSI COLOGNESI, Storia di Roma tra Diritto e potere. La formazione di un ordinamento giuridico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014. Further and more specific bibliographic references will be shown during the course. Non-attending Students: Course Books: L. CAPOGROSSI COLOGNESI, Storia di Roma tra Diritto e potere. La formazione di un ordinamento giuridico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014. R. LAMBERTINI, Introduzione allo studio esegetico del diritto romano, Bologna, Edizioni Clueb, Bologna, 1996 (III edizione 2006) pp. 11-31; 59-62; 64-69; 71-79; 99-126.
Teaching mode
The didactic model adopted includes lectures (parts 1, 2, 3) and practical lessons (part 4).
Exam mode
To pass the exam you must get a grade not less than 18/30. The student must demonstrate that he has acquired sufficient knowledge of the topics indicated in the different parts of the program. To achieve a score of 30/30 cum laude, the student must demonstrate that he has acquired excellent knowledge of all the topics covered during the course, being able to link them in a logical and consistent way.
Lesson mode
The didactic model adopted includes lectures (parts 1, 2, 3) and practical lessons (part 4).
  • Lesson code1022675
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • Courselaw
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year5th year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDIUS/18
  • CFU9