A podcast presenting a comprehensive (and fun) deep dive into legal history. Each week we will go back in time and explore the origins of the legal systems which guide our lives today. From ancient Egypt to the present day, we will unravel some of the thorniest legal issues we face through the lens of the past!
Historia Juris: A Layman's Guide to the History of the Law
Claim This Podcastby Randy Scudder, Esq.
5.0(4 reviews)
13 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors
Podcast Overview
A podcast presenting a comprehensive (and fun) deep dive into legal history. Each week we will go back in time and explore the origins of the legal systems which guide our lives today. From ancient Egypt to the present day, we will unravel some of the thorniest legal issues we face through the lens of the past!
Language
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Publishing Since
11/9/2025
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Recent Episodes
August 6, 2026
Episode 12: Goths, Byzantines, Lombards and Bishops: The Making of Early Medieval Italian Law
This episode examines what happened to law in Italy after the Western Roman emperor disappeared in 476. Rather than a single collapse, legal life became layered: Roman administrative habits persisted under new rulers, Gothic kings like Theodoric ruled by performing Roman order, and Byzantine restoration tried to reimpose imperial law. Meanwhile Lombard custom entered the written record and bishops stepped into administrative and judicial roles. The result was legal pluralism—multiple legal identities and overlapping authorities—where property, procedure, status, and violence were managed differently across communities while still drawing on Roman vocabulary and documents.
July 30, 2026
Episode 11: Codification, Sythesis and Innovation; The Rise of Justinian and the Corpus Juris Civilis
This episode traces how the Eastern Roman Empire, centered on Constantinople, transformed and preserved Roman law as a living system rather than a museum piece. Starting with Constantine’s strategic relocation of the capital and the east’s stronger administrative backbone, the narrative explains why law could be reorganized from above in Byzantium. It follows Justinian’s ambitious mid–6th century project — led by Tribonian — to gather imperial constitutions (the Codex), distill juristic writings (the Digest), teach future lawyers (the Institutes), and issue new enactments (the Novellae). The result: a bilingual, Christianized, imperial legal order with long-term influence on Europe’s legal tradition.
May 29, 2026
Episode 10: From Caesars to Chaos: Roman Law in the Late Empire
<p>In the final episode of the first season of Historia Juris, we will explore the significant changes in Roman law from the late third century to the fall of the Western Empire. It examines how legal authority shifted from jurists interpreting flexible laws to a centralized system focused on imperial command. The episode outlines Diocletian's and Constantine's contributions to this transformation and how the collapse of Roman institutions led to legal fragmentation. Despite the political upheaval, Roman legal traditions did not disappear; instead, they adapted, merging with other cultural influences to create a new legal landscape in post-Roman Europe.</p>
13 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Historia Juris: A Layman's Guide to the History of the Law?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.
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