Isidore of Seville and his “codification” of law (etym. 5.1-27)
Isidore of Seville and his “codification” of law (etym. 5.1-27)

Summary/Abstract: In the first part of chapter V of Etymologiae, Isidore of Seville collects and discusses the most important issues pertaining to law and justice. His analysis leads today’s lawyers to a surprising conclusion: narration is not typical to ancient linguistic treaties but to today’s legal codifications. Unlike the lengthy and casuistic arguments of ancient and medieval jurists, Isidore’s entries are concise, general and abstract. Transposing today’s templates of legislative techniques onto Etymologiae, Isidore of Seville may be considered one of the precursors of modern codifiers of law. He himself, despite the effect achieved, did not think of himself in such categories.

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