The Master Meta-List of Classical Legal Sources And Methods
A Collection of Collections of Materials
At The New Digest, we frequently receive requests for reading lists that introduce the classical legal tradition. Our pages (and those of Ius et Iustitium, with whom we recently joined forces) feature many such lists and collections, some devoted to particular aspects of the tradition, some devoted to general methodology. We thought it would be helpful to draw together those lists into a single resource for those interested. Hence this document — a master meta-list of collections of classical legal sources and methods. We will keep this meta-list updated over time, and hope it provides a useful point of entry for students as well as a helpful one-stop shop for classical lawyers. Enjoy!
Introductory Texts in Roman Law, Natural Law, and Canon Law (in two languages!)
An indispensable resource from Ius et Iustitium in both English and Spanish versions. Hyperlinks are above, cut-and-paste links here:
https://iusetiustitium.com/introductory-texts-in-natural-law-roman-law-and-canon-law/
https://iusetiustitium.com/lecturas-introductorias-de-derecho-natural-derecho-romano-derecho-canonico-e-historia-del-derecho/
A Syllabus on Classical Legal Theory and Current Debates
From TND editor Prof. Jeremy Christiansen, a comprehensive and learned syllabus for a class on classical legal theory, and on current debates over interpretive method, originalism, textualism, and so forth.
Classical Tradition Seminar Syllabus
For the enjoyment of readers of The New Digest, we are presenting here Professor Christiansen’s syllabus (subject to some revisions) for his upcoming seminar this Fall at Regent University Law School, the Classical Tradition and Natural Law.
Introductory Texts on the Tradition
A list of basic sources and secondary sources, especially geared to the student who wants an introductory overview.
A Sua Sponte Reading Recommendation
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More Can’t-Miss Books on the Classical Tradition
Sua Sponte Reading Recommendations II
A previous reading list gave some recommendations for those interested in the classical legal tradition. But there are indefinitely many such books, even if we count only the essential reading. (This is of course the scholar’s joy, and curse). So here’s another installment in the continuing series:
More! More!
Sua Sponte Reading Recommendations III
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Executive Power
At The New Digest, one of our longstanding interests is in executive power and its relationship to the state. Several reading lists address this topic.
Executive Power and the Administrative State
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The Origins of the Western Administrative State
Despite what you may have heard at a libertarian summer seminar, the administrative state is as old as Western law.
The Origins of the (Western) Administrative State
When, where, how and why did the European and American administrative state(s) originate? If you have read certain judicial opinions, been to a Federalist Society talk, or even fallen so low as to read Heritage reports, you may have heard that the American administrative state originated with the sinister Woodrow Wilson and the progressives, around Worl…
The Mirror of Princes
How should the executive rule? The tradition has many, many thoughts.
“The Mirror of Princes”: A Reading List
The “Mirror of Princes,” advice to rulers on the virtues proper to rulers and (therefore) on prudent government, is an endlessly fascinating but slippery and ill-defined genre. Taken too expansively, as in this overly-inclusive list, it could encompass a large fraction of political and constitutional theory before the advent of methodological positivism…
Universalism, Nationalism and Empire
Here’s a catalogue raisonné (= pretentious for “bibliographic essay”) on the interlinked topics of nationalism, universalism, and Empire.
Dominus Mundi: The Law, Politics and Theology of Empire
Rérum gestárum díví Augusti, quibus orbem terrarum ímperio populi Rom. subiécit (“The deeds of the Deified Augustus, by which he subjected the whole world to the sovereignty of the Roman People”)
In addition to these lists, please feel free to search our extensive archives for classical legal treatment of topics of interest, such as corporate law, intellectual property law, and many others. We will continue to compile these into lists as we go forward.
Enjoy!