Si ratione lex constat, lex erit omne iam quod ratione constiterit. Isidoro, mediatore del diritto pubblico romano presso il “nuovo mondo” visigoto

The article explores the role of Isidore of Seville as a mediator of Roman law within the Visigothic kingdom through a historical and legal analysis of his works and the contributions of philosophers and legal historians. It examines how Isidore, a key figure in the “Visigothic Renaissance”, contributed to preserving and transmitting the Roman legal tradition to the new barbarian rulers by combining his admiration for ancient Rome with an anticipation of medieval values. The legal sources used by Isidore, including the texts of Gaius, Paulus, and Ulpian, are discussed, along with his lack of direct knowledge of the Corpus Iuris Civilis. Despite some linguistic and legal limitations, Isidore is recognized for his role in the construction of a Christian society and his contribution to the legal culture of the Early Middle Ages. Isidore’s work, often regarded as a mere transmission of ancient practices, is re-evaluated for its originality and ability to reinterpret available material. In particular, the Etymologiae highlights the importance Isidore used to put in etymological research as a fundamental aspect of knowledge that both reflects divine truth and contributes to building a stable cultural identity through the use of Latin as a vehicular language.