The Emperor Justinian, by closing the schools of Athens, gave a deathblow to Grecian philosophy and jurisprudence.

But Grecian influence had already acted on the formation of Roman law, and probably much of the Athenian code was embodied therein.

The origin of Roman law is involved in the same obscurity as the origin of the Brehon code.

In both cases, the mist of ages lies like a light, but impenetrable veil, over all that could give certainty to conjecture.

Before the era of the Twelve Tables, mention is made of laws enacted by Romulus respecting what we should now call civil liabilities.