Natura, interpretatio, praescriptio: tra Diritto naturale romano e Diritto penale moderno: un'ipotesi di comparazione

The theme of the thesis “Natura, Interpretatio, Praescriptio. Tra Diritto Naturale Romano e Diritto Penale Moderno. Un’ipotesi di comparazione”, is theius naturale, its own origin, its development in Roman law, and its present importance, tackling the interpretation of law and a particular institute: the prescription of offence.Chapter one, titled “Alle origini del concetto diius naturale”, is dedicated toius naturalein Roman Law, with the study of Cicero’s works and of some fragments ofDigesta seu Pandectae. The end of the chapter concerns the exegesis of Celso’s definition of ius: “ius est ars boni et aequi”.Chapter two, “Interpretatio Iuris”, concerns the application ofius naturale in the interpretatio iuris, and its association with theiurisdictioof thepraetor, that is based onaequitas.Chapter three, “Dal diritto naturale romano al diritto penale moderno”, the study focuses on the evolution of the concept ofius naturalein the modern age, on its influence on the Italian Constitution, and on its relationship with penal law.The thesis concludes with the investigation of the institute of prescription of offence in the actual penal law, and of its doubtful conformity withius naturale.