The Humanist Vision of Roman Law (Mos Gallicus – Mos Italicus Iura Docendi) and the Formation of Ius Commune Europaeum

PhD Advisor: Prof. Witold Wołodkiewicz

Until the Renaissance, Justinian sources of Roman law were viewed according to mos italicus iura docendi and considered an absolute means to solve all the legal problems. Renaissance humanists adopted a new approach - mos gallicus iura docendi - and treated the Justinian sources as historical evidence for the state of the Roman society. For them the study of the Roman law required looking beyond the Justinian collection, to earlier legal texts and to Greek and Latin literary sources. Renaissance jurists combined historical research with attempts at constructing a coherent legal system which later became the basis for European legal institutions. It is this historical link that we invite you to investigate.

If you choose this field of doctoral research you will complete your fellowships abroad at the following Partner Institutions:

Università Degli Studi, Federico II, Naples
The University of Naples is the one of the most prestigious and well equipped research centers in Europe devoted to the study of Roman law and to the history of European legal traditions. At the University of Naples operates the inter-university Consortium “Gérard Boulvert” devoted to the study of European Judicial Culture (Consorzio Interuniversitario “Gérard Boulvert” per lo studio della civiltà giuridica europea e la storia dei suoi ordinamenti), as well as the Department of Roman Law (Dipartimento di Diritto Romano e Storia della Scienza Romanistica). You will find there one of the best libraries in the world specializing in Roman law, its history and its reception, as well as the formation of the ius commune europaeum. You will have the opportunity to work under the supervision of Prof. Carla Masi Doria and Prof. Luigi Labruna. For more information, see:
http://www.dptromano.unina.it/

Università Degli Studi, Catania
The Institute of Roman Law at the University of Catania is one of the strongest in Italy. It publishes Iura, the most renowned international periodical devoted to teaching and research of Roman law. It hosts the Centro romanistico internatizionale “Copanello” dedicated to research in Roman law and gathering scholars and logistic support from the universities of Catania, Messina, and Catanzaro. The Center Copanello focuses on the role of Roman law in European legal history and in particular in the process of European integration. You will work under the supervision of Prof. Alessandro Corbino. For more information, see:
http://www.lex.unict.it/