Reading sources in the teaching of Roman law

The study of law requires an appreciation of both the plurality of facts and the coherence of the legal system. It is essential, therefore, to encourage students to develop strong linguistic skills, to observe the evolution and dynamism of law, to reflect on legal categories, and to think creatively when seeking legal solutions to emerging challenges. In ancient Rome, legal literature was rich and diverse. In this paper, I propose to rethink the value of directly reading texts produced at the origins of our legal tradition, within the framework of Roman Law. Engaging with original sources enables a direct dialogue between student and author, fosters the identification of both differences and parallels in legal reasoning and problem-solving, and offers an opportunity to reflect on contemporary legal issues by drawing on principles and rules shared across legal systems rooted in the Roman tradition