Code of Euric

Visigoth law

Also known as: Codex Euricianus

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June 26, 2026

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The Code of Euric was a significant legal compilation for the Visigoths, issued in the late 5th century. It is notable for being one of the earliest written Germanic laws and for acknowledging the rights of both Visigothic and Roman subjects within Euric's kingdom, which encompassed much of modern southwestern France and Spain.123

This code was written in Latin and served as the personal law for the Visigoths. It was compiled by Roman jurists, reflecting a blend of legal traditions. While early Germanic law was often unwritten and based on custom, the Code of Euric marked a shift towards written legal codes. It was later supplemented by the Breviary of Alaric for the Roman population.132

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Euric
…that bears his name, the Code of Euric.
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…that bears his name, the Code of Euric.
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France
Germans and Gallo-Romans
…to writing, in Latin (Code of Euric, c. 470–480; Salic Law of Clovis, c. 507–511; Law of Gundobad, c. 501–515), and occasionally had summaries of Roman rights drawn up for the Gallo-Roman population (Papian Code of Gundobad; Breviary of Alaric). By the 9th century this principle of legal personality,…
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…to writing, in Latin (Code of Euric, c. 470–480; Salic Law of Clovis, c. 507–511; Law of Gundobad, c. 501–515), and occasionally had summaries of Roman rights drawn up for the Gallo-Roman population (Papian Code of Gundobad; Breviary of Alaric). By the 9th century this principle of legal personality,…
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Spain
Visigothic Spain to c. 500
The Codex Euricianus (“Code of Euric”), which was completed in 475 or 483 or under Euric’s son a generation later, was written in Latin and designed as the personal law of the Visigoths. It also addressed relations between Euric’s Roman and Visigothic subjects. In 506 Euric’s…
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The Codex Euricianus (“Code of Euric”), which was completed in 475 or 483 or under Euric’s son a generation later, was written in Latin and designed as the personal law of the Visigoths. It also addressed relations between Euric’s Roman and Visigothic subjects. In 506 Euric’s…
Read More