Law of Citations

The so-called " Zitiergesetz " is from the Western Roman Emperor Valentinian III. or its the regency for leading him mother, Galla Placidia Augusta, enacted and directed to the Senate and People of Rome Act of 7 November 426, in which the courts were instructed to law opinions of the five classical jurists, Gaius ( 150 ), Papinian (about 150-212 ), Ulpian (about 170-223 ), Julius Paulus ( end of 2nd century / early 3rd century ) and Herennius Modestinus ( mid-3rd century ) to follow. The edict was the Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II in a prominent place inserted his right compilation of 438 ( in the first book ) ( Theodosian Code, CTh 1,4,3 ) and received at that time at the latest general validity.

While it is late classical period in Paul, Ulpian and Modestinus, Papinian belongs in the transitional period from the high - to the Late Classic. Gaius, however, is the only real high classical jurist; its institutions were the cornerstone of his fame. The law assigns to the majority principle, in a tie, Papinian view is crucial. The five lawyers were under this Act called Zitierjuristen.

The ancient historian Otto Seeck complained in his history of the downfall of the ancient world of 1920 still in the law associate itself " the legal comprehension of the woman with an almost barbaric schematism ", and in fact was the edict often as evidence of the decline of the legal culture used in late antiquity. But is reflected in the law, the attempt to increase the decision-making itself and the traceability of decisions in judicial practice. This is suggested that the validity of Paul's sentences was confirmed at the end of the constitution, which was probably widespread as a handy collection of laws in the 5th century. The so-called Zitiergesetz was part of a far more detailed " oratio " to the Senate of Rome, and is thus also a well- designed reform. The parts scattered in the Theodosian Code and the Code of Justinian obtained have, inter alia, the primacy of law, the validity of rescripts and family law rules in the case of succession to the object.