This book is a volume in the Penn Press Anniversary Collection. To mark its 125th anniversary in 2015, the University of Pennsylvania Press rereleased more than 1,100 titles from Penn Press's distinguished backlist from 1899-1999 that had fallen out of print. Spanning an entire century, the Anniversary Collection offers peer-reviewed scholarship in a wide range of subject areas.
Format:Hardcover
Language:English
ISBN:0812276531
ISBN13:9780812276534
Release Date:April 1972
Publisher:University of Pennsylvania Press Anniversary
Interested in Legal Precedent? - a review of Leges Burgundia
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
The Burgundian codes are pretty cool. Set down in the late 5th and early 6th centuries by two Germanic reges, Gundobad and Sigismund, they provide valuable insight into the growing synthesis of Roman and barbarian society. Unlike church records, which can either be too gossipy or not gossipy enough, legal codes tend to cover and describe issues that magistrates might have to contend with. For example, in the Leges Burgundia there is a section that describes the penalties for stealing girls. From this one might conclude that at that place and time in history that there was a 'girl theft' problem. Along this line - and to titillate you -- I offer the following crimes for your contemplation: Of Horses Which have Bones and Sticks (Scindola) Tied to Their Tails Of Knocking Out Teeth Of Women Who Have Had Their Hair Cut in Their Own Courtyard Besides the translations themselves, there is a nice introduction in this book that provides a little historical background to the work, as well as a brief discussion of the conflict that existed between customary law and statutory law. Dr. Drew also discusses throughout the book various pertinent topics such as: what the heck is a 'solidi'; and what is 'wergeld'. Four Stars. [B-] Nice little book that presents a readable translation of Lex Burgundia. A little history is provided along with intelligent commentary by Dr. Drew. The reader does not need any Latin to appreciate and enjoy. HOWEVER-- the Code (Lex Burgundia) itself is a little dull and I think someone interested in this topic might do better with the more lively Lombard Laws (Rothair's Edict) which is available in translation by Dr. Drew. An excerpt of a penalty follows: Anyone who draws out his sword or dagger for striking another, and does not strike him let him pay a fine of twelve solidi. If he strikes him, let him likewise pay twelve solidi and be judged according to the inflicted would.
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