Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Lex Romana Visigothorum is a book of laws created by the Visigoth king Alaric II in the year 506. It was an abridged version of Roman law and was made for the use of his Roman subjects. The book was edited and distributed by Alaric's chancellor, Anian, and was also known as Breviarium Alaricianum or Breviary of Alaric. It was a very important book during the Middle Ages and helped Roman law enter western European law. Even though it was later replaced by the Lex Visigothorum in the Visigothic kingdom, it continued to be used in southern France and Lombardy, which had come under the dominion of the Franks.
Definition: The Lex Romana Visigothorum is an abridgment of Roman law that was compiled by order of the Visigoth king Alaric II in 506. It was published for the use of his Roman subjects and revised versions were known as the Lex Romana Visigothorum. It was also called the Breviarium Aniani after Alaric's chancellor, Anian, who edited and distributed the work.
Example: The Breviarium Alaricianum was a book of high authority throughout the whole of western Europe during the Middle Ages and it was one of the main channels through which Roman law entered western European law prior to the Reception.
Explanation: The Breviarium Alaricianum was a significant legal document that was used in southern France and Lombardy, which had passed under the dominion of the Franks. It was a concise summary of Roman law that was used by the Visigoths and later revised versions were used throughout western Europe. The example illustrates how important the Breviarium Alaricianum was in shaping western European law during the Middle Ages.