Legal Definitions - Breviarium Alaricianum

The Breviarium Alaricianum was a significant collection of Roman law, created in 506 AD under the direction of the Visigothic King Alaric II. It was essentially a simplified summary of existing Roman legal principles and imperial decrees, specifically intended for the Roman population living within the Visigothic Kingdom. This compilation helped preserve and transmit Roman legal traditions in Western Europe during a period when the Roman Empire was declining. It is also sometimes referred to as the Lex Romana Visigothorum or the Breviary of Alaric.

• Example 1: Legal Rights for Roman Subjects

  Imagine a Roman citizen living in what is now southern France in the early 6th century, after the Visigoths had taken control. If this citizen had a dispute with a neighbor over a contract for selling goods, they would not necessarily be subject to the Visigothic customary laws that applied to the Visigoths themselves. Instead, the local court would consult the Breviarium Alaricianum to resolve the matter, ensuring that Roman citizens continued to be governed by a recognizable form of Roman law.

  This example illustrates how the Breviarium Alaricianum served its primary purpose: providing a codified set of Roman laws for the Roman population living under Visigothic rule, allowing them to maintain their legal traditions and rights.

• Example 2: Preservation and Transmission of Roman Law

  Centuries later, in the 9th century, a monastery in what is now modern-day Italy might possess a manuscript copy of the Breviarium Alaricianum. Monks studying law or advising local rulers on legal matters would refer to this text to understand principles of Roman property law or inheritance. Even though the Visigothic kingdom was long gone, the Breviarium acted as a vital conduit, preserving and transmitting Roman legal concepts that would later influence the development of European legal systems.

  This example highlights the Breviarium's lasting impact as a key source for the preservation and dissemination of Roman law throughout Western Europe during the early Middle Ages, long after its initial creation. It shows its role in bridging the gap between classical Roman law and later European legal traditions.