Origins & Early Life

Gaius (; fl. AD 130–180) was a Roman jurist. Little is known about his personal life, including his name (Gaius or Caius being merely his personal name or praenomen). It is also difficult to ascertain the span of his life, but it is assumed he lived from AD 130 to at least AD 179, as he wrote on legislation passed within that time.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

From internal evidence in his works it may be gathered that he flourished in the reigns of the emperors Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. His works were thus composed between the years 130 and 180. After his death, however, his writings were recognized as of great authority, and the emperor Theodosius II named him in the Law of Citations, along with Papinian, Ulpian, Modestinus and Paulus, as one of the five jurists whose opinions were to be followed by judicial officers in deciding cases. The works of these jurists accordingly became most important sources of Roman law. Besides the Institutes, which are a complete exposition of the elements of Roman law, Gaius was the author of treatises on the Edicts of the Magistrates, on the Twelve Tables (Ad Legem XII Tabularum), on the important Lex Papia Poppaea, and on several other topics....

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Plutarch — Contemporary (Died in 120) (120): Greek philosopher, historian, and biographer famed for the Parallel Lives.
• Ardashir I — Contemporary (Born in 180) (180): Founder of the Sasanian Empire, establishing the last great dynasty of ancient Iran.
• Aulus Gellius — Contemporary (Died in 180) (180): Second-century Roman author and grammarian, known for his compilation, the Noctes Atticae.
• Marcus Aurelius — Contemporary (Died in 180) (180): Stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor who ruled during the Pax Romana.
• Cai Lun — Contemporary figure (Died in 121) (121): Pivotal Han Dynasty official credited with revolutionizing paper manufacturing.
• Trajan — Contemporary figure (Died in 117) (117): Roman Emperor who presided over the Empire's greatest territorial expansion.
• Ban Zhao — Contemporary figure (Died in 116) (116): Pioneering Chinese historian, philosopher, and scholar, known for 'Lessons for Women'.
• Pope Alexander I — Contemporary figure (Died in 116) (116): Bishop of Rome and Pope, whose pontificate spanned the late 11th and early 12th centuries.
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