罗马史上“习惯法”的源起与流变——一个法律思想史角度的考察

The Origins and Evolutions of “Customary Law” in Roman History:An Investigation of the History of Legal Thought

"习惯法"的含义在罗马法发展中经历了多次转变,在罗马王政、共和与帝政时期,"习惯法"各有其不同的内涵。它最初指涉家庭内部的"习俗",随着罗马世俗化进程,"家际法"逐步取代家庭习俗,成为法概念的核心。作为最初的"市民法",它实际是"习惯法",区别于伴随城邦权力崛起而出现的"市民法律"。共和时期的罗马,没有一个政治团体可以垄断法律的创制,实证主义的法律观念并未产生。在进入帝政时期之后,罗马皇帝权力的不断增长改变了罗马法在法律渊源上的多元性,"习惯法"最后蜕变为地方性和部族性的法律概念。

By tracing back to the origins of the concept of ＂customary law＂in Roman history,this article clarifies the classical meaning of customary law and its conceptual changes. The ＂customary law＂is a historic concept of law. During the period of Kings of Rome,Roman Republic and Roman Empire,＂customary law＂had their own different meanings. From the perspectives of mores,consuetudo,ius civile,ius gentium and lex civile,the article tries to reveal the interaction between the development of Roman law and Roman family,community,city-state and imperial order. The historical retrospection of the concept of ＂customary law＂helps to examine the complex relationship between legal evolution and political transition. A re-understanding of the notion of ＂customary law＂in the Roman history also provides an opportunity to re-understand the notion of law in the classical age. With the emergence of modern nation-state positivist legal concepts and its accompanying legal source theory,both are difficult to explain the actual history of the origins of human law.