RONIAN JURISPRODF.NCE. The Roman lawyers noted the fact that many substantially identical rules were observed by all the .:\lediterranean nations; and to this etanmon law they gave the name 'law of nations' jug gentirint). In the first century before Christ they began to speak of 'natural law.' In the Roman juristic litera ture the term is used in four different senses: ( 1 1 Natural law is identified with universal law (jug gen/ him). This is practically- the Aris totelian sense. (2 1 Natural law is contrasted with the lair observed by all nations; e.g. it is said that by nature all men are free, and that silvery has been introduced by tlie law of nations. This is the Stoic conception of natural law. (3) Sporadically. the Epicurean idea appears. as when it is said that buyers and sellers have a natural right to overreavh one another as regards price. I I) Clpion has a theory which seems to
have bt.en peculiarly his own, hut to which Justinian gave a factitious importance by in cluding in his Institutes Clpian's definition: "Natural law is that which nature has taught all living things." The illustrations. which refer to rudimentary family life. are biological rather than legal. Although the Roman jurists ferred to the law of nature 1"..r the interpretation of their own law. and even drew front it sup plementary rules where their .ova law was silent, they referred far more frequently, ?n d for the same purposes. to 'natural reason' and to and they never ascribed to the bin' of natnre such authority av to question the validity of n Roman rule because it Was not in apeordance with natural law. See CIVIL LAW; JCS CEN TIUNI ; Jrs SATUR.E.