THE INFLUENCE OF CHRISTIANITY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OFROMAN, BYZANTINE, AND MEDIEVAL SERBIAN LAW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46763/Keywords:
Roman law, Byzantium, Serbia, Christianity, law.Abstract
This paper examines the influence of Christianity on the development of
Roman, Byzantine, and medieval Serbian law. Its primary objective is to
demonstrate how Christian teachings and ecclesiastical organization
influenced changes in the legal system from the Roman Empire to
medieval Serbia. The paper analyzes the gradual integration of secular
and ecclesiastical law, which over time became one of the essential
elements of state organization. Particular attention is devoted to changes
in family, inheritance, and criminal law following the adoption of
Christianity in the Roman Empire. Christian ethics contributed to the
development of concepts of justice, mercy, and enhanced protection of
socially vulnerable groups.
The paper also analyzes the role of Byzantine law, which, through
nomocanons and ecclesiastical legal collections, transmitted a substantial
body of Christian legal principles into medieval Serbian legislation.
Through an analysis of Justinian's legislation, Saint Sava's Nomocanon,
and Dušan's Code, the paper demonstrates the significance of Christianity
in shaping the legal order of medieval Serbia. Based on the analyzed
sources, it may be concluded that, in addition to its religious significance,
Christianity played an important role in the development of legal
consciousness, the strengthening of state institutions, and the formation
of the Serbian legal tradition
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