Byzantine Law


Byzantine Law

 

the law effective in the Byzantine Empire (sixth to 15th centuries). Byzantine law was characterized by the parallel action of the statutes of church and secular law combined in particular collections, the Nomocanons. The historical significance of Byzantine law is defined by the role that Byzantium played in Europe and partly in Asia. Feudal law in Armenia and Georgia borrowed heavily from Byzantine law. The basic sources of Byzantine law were the laws promulgated by the emperors and the Code of Justinian, which served as the basis for further codifications. Later law codes included the Procheiros nomos and the Ecloga.