Law and the Christian Tradition in Italy: The Legacy of the Great Jurists

Italian legal culture, rooted in Roman and canon law, has profoundly influenced the civil law tradition from the Middle Ages to the present. The Decretum of Master Gratian, along with the US Constitution and the French Civil Code, is one of the few legal sources that have shaped the world for centuries. This book explores a millennium-long story of law and religion in Italy through twenty-six biographical chapters written by distinguished legal scholars and historians. It offers a diverse range of international and methodological perspectives, making it essential reading for academics in Legal History, Law and Religion, and Constitutional Law.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 482 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Italian legal culture, deeply rooted in Roman and canon law, has exerted a profound and lasting influence on the civil law tradition from the Middle Ages to the present day. It is widely recognized as the cradle of European legal culture, alongside the compilation of Justinian, the US Constitution, and the French Civil Code. Among the few legal sources that have transcended borders and influenced the world for centuries, the Decretum of Master Gratian, also known as the Glossa ordinaria of Accursius, stands as a notable example.

This comprehensive volume delves into a millennium-long narrative of law and religion in Italy, presented through a collection of twenty-six biographical chapters authored by esteemed legal scholars and historians from Italy and across the globe. Spanning from the early twelfth century to the Second Vatican Council, the chapters cover a diverse range of individuals and their contributions. They include prominent figures such as Irnerius and Gratian, the pioneering Italian civilians and canonists, as well as Pope Paul VI, the influential architect of that council. Between these two historical bookends, the volume presents notable case studies of familiar civilians like Bartolo, Baldo, and Gentili, as well as familiar canonists like Hostiensis, Panormitanus, and Gasparri. However, it also highlights the contributions of numerous other jurists, who deserve greater recognition, particularly outside of Italy.

The diversity of international and methodological perspectives showcased in this volume gives it a unique character. It will serve as an invaluable resource for academics engaged in the fields of Legal History, Law and Religion, and Constitutional Law. It will also appeal to scholars, lawyers, and students with an interest in exploring the intricate interplay between religion and law in the context of globalization.

Weight: 889g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367508715