Specimen eruditionis temporis sui : kranjski jurist Martin Pegius (1519-1592)

slovenian

2025

volume 80, issue 9/10

Univerza v Ljubljani, Pravna fakulteta
(Obvezni izvod spletne publikacije)

The article examines the latest insights into the life and work of Martin Pegius (1519–1592), a renowned early modern legal scholar from the territory that is now Slovenia. Born in Pillichgrätz, Carniola, Pegius earned a doctoral degree in Ingolstadt and later served as a scribe, counsellor, and consistory assessor. He authored numerous scholarly works during his tenure at the Archbishopric of Salzburg. In this paper, we provide a detailed presentation of Pegius’s writings on The Right of Retractus, The Law and Privileges of Dowries, The Easements of Urban and Rural Hereditary Lands, Emphyteutic Lease, Auction Law, Attempts at Legal Opinions, and a partial translation of Justinian’s Code, as well as a work attributed to Pegius entitled The Law of Dogs, Pigeons, and Chickens. Also of particular importance are his non-legal works in the fields of rhetoric (On Tropes and Figures), astrology (The Book of Birth Hours), and herbal medicine (The Book of Herbs). After his career declined due to accusations of leaking confidential information and practising witchcraft, he spent the final ten years of his life imprisoned in Salzburg Castle. Pegius’s works were printed and remained in legal use until the late 18th century, after which his name faded into obscurity. Today, his decision to write legal works in German rather than in the then-dominant Latin marks him as one of the co-founders of German legal terminology.

20.07.2026