Legal Definitions - Jus Aelianum

Jus Aelianum is a manual of laws in Roman law. It was created in the second century B.C. by Sextus Aelius, a consul. The manual consists of three parts:

1. The laws of the Twelve Tables
2. A commentary on the laws
3. The forms of procedure

The Twelve Tables is the earliest surviving legislation enacted by the Romans. It was written on 12 tablets in the 5th century B.C. The Tables set out many rights and duties of Roman citizens, including debtors' rights, family law, wills, torts, civil procedure, and some public law.

For example, the Tables established the right of a debtor to be released from his debt after being held in custody for 60 days. They also set out the rules for inheritance and the rights of women in marriage.

The law of the Twelve Tables was also known as the Lex Duodecim Tabularum. It was the first written body of laws in Rome, accessible to all citizens. The Tables continued to be recognized for many centuries as the fundamental law of the Romans.