A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

a Roman jurist, who probably lived in the middle of the sixth century of the city. By Pomponius (Dig. 1. tit. 2. s. 2.38) he is called Publius Atilius, and in some manuscripts of Cicero (Amic. 100.2), Acilius, not Atilius. He was among the earliest of the jurisconsults, after Coruncanius, who gave public instruction in law, and he was remarkable for his science in profitendo. He was the first Roman who was called by the people Sapiens, although, before his time, the jurist P. Sempronius (who was consul B. C. 304) had acquired the cognomen Sophus, less expressive to Latin ears. Sapiens was afterwards a title frequently given to jurists. (Gel. 4.1.) He wrote Commentaries on the laws of the Twelve Tables. (Cic. de Leg. 2.23; Heinec. Hist. Jur. Rom. § 125.)

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