Legal Definitions - epistulae

Definition: Epistulae (i-pis-tyoo-lee), n. pl. is a Latin term that refers to letters in Roman law. It has two meanings:

1. Rescripts: These are opinions given by the emperors in cases submitted to them for decision.
2. Opinions of juris consulti: These are opinions of legal experts, such as Neratius, on questions of law in the form of letters to those consulting them.

Examples:

• Emperor Augustus wrote epistulae to governors and officials, giving them instructions on how to govern their provinces.
• Neratius wrote epistulae to his clients, advising them on legal matters and answering their questions.

These examples illustrate how epistulae were used in Roman law. Emperors used them to give their opinions on legal cases, while legal experts used them to advise their clients on legal matters. Epistulae were an important part of the legal system in ancient Rome.