Justinian Code
Below are laws from the Justinian Code. Justinian, the most important emperor of the Byzantine Empire,
complied these laws from Roman sources like the Laws of the Twelve Tables. Write each law in your own
words and/or illustrate an example of the law. Do you agree or disagree with the law? Is this a contemporary
law?
No one may be forcibly removed from his
own house.
Anyone who knows about a crime that has
been planned but cannot stop it from
being committed cannot be blamed for
the crime.
Anyone who orders an injury to be
inflicted is guilty of having inflicted it, but
the person who obeyed the order is not
guilty.
It is better for the crime of a guilty person
to go unpunished, than for an innocent
person to be condemned.
The guilt or punishment of a father should
not be carried over to his son.
The court must find out if a witness has
led an honorable life or been branded with
disgrace.
The court should find out if a witness is
hostile or friendly to the person against
whom he is giving testimony.
In the case of a major offense it makes a
difference if the crime was committed
accidentally or with purpose. Those who
purposely commit a crime should be dealt
with more severely.