Univerzální základy evropského práva
The Universal Foundations of European Law

Summary/Abstract: This paper recalls the three pillars of European culture: Judeo-Christian, ancient Greek and especially Roman law. First of all, the text highlights the Judaic basis of Christianity, with the emphasis on the role of divine law. It then sets out the basis principles of Roman law, expressing the need for fairness and for values to anchor the application of the law. In the course of history, there have been two receptions of ancient Roman law. First, this process developed in the Middle Ages, as is also demonstrated here in the quotations from the canon law collection “Liber sextus”. Also, from the early nineteenth century Roman law inspired the creation of civil codes, beginning with the Napoleonic Code. The modern understanding of human rights and freedoms was formed primarily as a result of the development of the right to religious freedom. Today’s state should not overextend its powers and should provide citizens with a wide scope of freedom. This is also helped by the separation of powers that applies in European democracies today.

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