roman law

noun

often capitalized R

: the legal system of the ancient Romans that includes written and unwritten law, is based on the traditional law and the legislation of the city of Rome, and in form comprises legislation of the assemblies, resolves of the senate, enactments of the emperors, edicts of the praetors, writings of the jurisconsults, and the codes of the later emperors

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

Roman law

noun

Ro·​man law

: the legal system of the ancient Romans that includes written and unwritten law, is based on the traditional law and legislation of the assemblies, resolves of the senate, enactments of the emperors, edicts of the praetors, writings of the jurisconsults, and the codes of the later emperors, and that is the basis for much of the modern civil law systems