Herennius Modestinus

Herennius Modestinus, often referred to simply as Modestinus, was a prominent Roman jurist and civil servant who made significant contributions to the field of law during the classic age of Roman jurisprudence. Flourishing around two hundred and fifty AD, he was a student of the renowned jurist Ulpian and is believed to have hailed from one of the Greek-speaking provinces, possibly Dalmatia.

His career included notable positions such as serving as secretary a libellis under Emperor Alexander Severus from two hundred and twenty-three to two hundred and twenty-five AD, and later as praefectus vigilum around two hundred and twenty-eight AD. Modestinus is recognized for his inclusion in Valentinian's Law of Citations, where he is ranked alongside esteemed jurists like Papinian, Paulus, Gaius, and Ulpian, marking him as one of the five jurists whose opinions were deemed authoritative.

Modestinus's influence extended beyond his lifetime, as evidenced by his mention in a rescript from Gordian III in the year two hundred and forty, which referenced a responsum he provided. His writings have left a lasting legacy, with no fewer than three hundred and forty-five passages in the Digest of the Corpus Juris Civilis derived from his works. He is also credited with authoring a collection of Responsa and Digesta, meticulously compiled into twelve books.