Middle Ages Regents Practice

Which code served as a model for legal systems in many medieval societies?

1. Code of Hammurabi

2. Magna Carta

3. Law of the Twelve Tables

4. Justinian Code

The correct answer is: Justinian Code

The Justinian Code served as a significant model for legal systems in many medieval societies due to its comprehensive compilation and systematization of Roman law. Formulated under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century, this code synthesized existing legal texts and principles, making them accessible and understandable. Its structure included the Codex Justinianus, which compiled imperial constitutions; the Digesta, or Pandectae, which summarized legal opinions; and the Institutiones, a textbook for law students. The influence of the Justinian Code extended far beyond the borders of the Byzantine Empire. As medieval Europe sought to return to classical Roman sources, the code became a foundation for the development of civil law systems. Its principles on subjects such as property rights, contracts, and family law significantly informed legal thought and practice, effectively shaping the legal frameworks found in many European nations during the Middle Ages. In contrast, while the Code of Hammurabi, Magna Carta, and the Law of the Twelve Tables each hold their historical significance, they did not have the same extensive influence across diverse medieval legal systems as the Justinian Code did. The Code of Hammurabi is one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length, but it is specific to ancient