Legal Definitions - leges barbarorum

Leges Barbarorum is a Latin term that means "laws of the barbarians." It refers to the customary laws of medieval European law, especially the laws of Germanic tribes during the Middle Ages. These laws were not written down but were passed down orally from generation to generation.

Examples of Leges Barbarorum include the lex romana Visigothorum, the lex Burgundionum, and the lex Salica. The most famous of these is the Lex Salica, which was a Frankish law code that probably dates back to the second half of the fifth century.

These laws were important because they helped to shape the legal systems of medieval Europe. They were also significant because they reflected the customs and traditions of the Germanic tribes that lived during this time. By studying these laws, historians can learn more about the social and cultural practices of these tribes.