Jacques Cujas

Jacques Cujas or Cujacius or - as he called himself - Jacques de Cujas (* 1522 in Toulouse, † October 4, 1590 in Bourges ) was a French lawyer and the time of his most recognized expert on Roman law.

Cujas studied with Arnaud du Ferrier at the University of Toulouse. He taught from 1547 in Toulouse, from 1554 in Cahors, from 1555 in Bourges, 1558 in Valence, and again in 1559 in Bourges. 1566 he was appointed with the title of Duke of Savoy Council to Turin, then in 1567 he returned back to Valence. 1573 he was appointed by Charles IX. appointed Honorary Council of the Parliament of Grenoble and 1574 to the real Counsellor of Parliament. 1575 he returned to Bourges.

Unlike his contemporaries, it was less about the practical application of Roman law than with the exact study of ancient sources in their historical and literary context. He is considered by many to be the founder of the historical school of Roman law. He saw an important task is to develop the original version of the quotes Roman jurists in the Corpus Juris Civilis. So he gave critical editions of the works of Ulpian and Paul's out.

Among his pupils were John Borcholt, Joseph Justus Scaliger and Marquard Freher.

Works (selection)

• Hannibal Fabrot (ed.): works. Paris 1658 (10 vols )
• Works. Turin 1874 ( 9 vols )