Basilica

[Praxilla.]

(τὰ βασιλικά). The Greek code of Roman law, commenced about A.D. 876 by the emperor Basil I., and finished by his son, Leo the Philosopher, who reigned A.D. 886-911. It comprised the Institutes, Pandects, Code, the Novellae, and the imperial Constitutions subsequent to the time of Justinian. It is in sixty books, subdivided into titles. The publication of this authorized body of law in Greek led to the gradual disuse of the original compilations of Justinian in the East; but by its means the Roman law was so firmly established in Eastern Europe and Western Asia as to maintain its hold there among the Greek populations to the present day. See Rudorff, Röm. Rechtsgeschichte (Leipzig, 1876), and the article Iustinianus. The best modern edition of the Basilica is that of Heimbach, 6 vols. (Leipzig, 1833-70).