Summary

Publius Iuventius Celsus Titus Aufidius Hoenius Severianus, also known as Celsus filius or Celsus the Younger, was a prominent jurist during the early second century ce. Holder of an important number of magistracies over the course of his illustrious career, including two consulships and the position of governor of both Thrace and the province of Asia, he was particularly favoured by emperor Hadrian, who made him a member of the consilium principis. He also acted as head of the Proculian school, a position previously held by his father. His works, particularly his Digesta, proved to be highly regarded by his fellow jurists as well as influential, as is shown by their frequent inclusion in Justinian’s collection of the same name. Celsus continues to have a reputation for both abrasiveness and originality, but he is best known for his definition of law as ‘the art of the good and just’ (ius est ars boni et aequi).