Institutiones

The Institutiones: Or, Elements Of Justinian : In Four Books by Justinian I is an English edition of the famous ancient Roman law compendium translated by Dr. Harris. This work presents a structured overview of Roman law as codified under the emperor Justinian I, organizing essential legal principles into four books. It introduces the sources and authority of law, the classification of natural, civil, and public law, and the methodology for studying jurisprudence and justice. The Institutes cover topics such as the division of law into written and unwritten forms, the distinctions between civil law and law of nations, and the rights of persons, property, and family relations, including slaves, freedom, adoption, tutelage, and inheritance. It proceeds through contracts, obligations, and various modes of acquiring and losing property, as well as the procedures and remedies available in civil and criminal matters. The English translation preserves Harris’s interpretation of Justinian’s constructs, illustrating how Roman legal theory organized jurisprudence, contracts, and governance within the Byzantine legal framework.