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Azo of Bologna, c.1150-1220
Italian Scholastic jurist and influential glossator of civil law.
Sometimes called Azo Soldanus or Azo Porcius, to distinguish him from other jurists with that name. A native of the city of Bologna, Azo studied under Johannes Bassianus at Bologna, and went on to teach civil law for over thirty years. He was also active in the political life of the city.
Azo was one of most influential glossators and teachers of Roman civil law at the University of Bologna. His glosses (marginal explanatory notes and comments) pervaded the books of Justinian's Corpus Juris Civilis. He had a reputation for a very careful and "pure" treatment of the Roman law, endeavoring to draw out the pure abstract principles of legal theory, to allow the deepest and widest understanding, rather than depending on a mass of practical or illustrative examples.
Azo of Bologna is best known for his Summa codicis, a handbook of Roman civil law used as the primary textbook at Bologna. Written in 1208-1210, it was completed by his students.
The authority of Azo of Bologna is found in the common student ditty "Chi non ha Azzo, non vada a palazzo" ("He who does not have Azo, will not make it in the palace" - meaning that a thorough knowledge of his Summa codicis was essential for a successful court case or legal career.)
The competing apparatus of his contemporary and rival Hugolino, produced something of division within Bologna between rival schools of thought between their students. Azo was the teacher of Accursius and Johannes Teutonicus.
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