Final answer:
The Code of Justinian, also known as the Corpus Juris Civilis, consisted of four parts: The Codex Justinianus, The Digesta, The Institutiones, and The Novellae Constitutiones. Each part played a pivotal role in unifying Roman law and overshadowing local customs, thereby shaping the legal landscape of Europe.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Justinian Code: Parts and Characteristics
The Code of Justinian was a monumental legal project executed by Emperor Justinian, revising and compiling centuries of Roman laws. This effort created a unified code known as the Corpus Juris Civilis, which is divided into four main parts:
The Codex Justinianus (The Code) - This part consolidated all of the existing imperial constitutions from the time of Emperor Hadrian.
The Digesta or Pandectae (The Digest) - A fifty-book collection summarizing the opinions of legal experts on virtually every aspect of law.
The Institutiones or Institution (The Institutes) - An introductory textbook for law students, outlining the principles of law.
The Novellae Constitutiones or Novels (New Laws) - Comprising legislation enacted by Justinian himself after the Codex, Digest, and Institutes were published.
Justinian's legal reforms were designed to unify Roman law and ensure the empire's connection to its past. The Code served as an antecedent for most European legal systems and exemplified Justinian's desire to establish religious uniformity and imperial control, contributing significantly to the development of Western legal tradition.