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Justinian I (c. 483–565), traditionally known as Justinian the Great, was a Byzantine emperor from 527 to his death in 565. During his reign, Justinian sought to revive the empire's greatness and reconquer the lost western half of the historical Roman Empire. Because of his restoration activities, Justinian has sometimes been called the "last Roman" in modern historiography. Perhaps the most significant aspect of his legacy was the uniform rewriting of Roman law, the Corpus Juris Civilis, which is still the basis of civil law in many modern nations. The present manuscript copy of the Institutiones is neatly written on both sides of the leaf, an index of all four books is contained on three leaves bound between the second and third books. In the blank space at the bottom of the final page of the first book are found two ink sketches, one of a jester-like figure, the other of a young woman. Ownership signature on front blank and again at close of first book of Vincenzo Garsia of Paterno, perhaps the distinguished poet, dramatist, and juror. The manuscript is not in the same hand as the ownership signature.