27 / 298
Vico’s Ring
27
human nature
, is one of the [points] discussed most extensively, un-
doubtedly due to the breadth and depth of knowledge that the Italian
had of law writ large)
35
.
No discussion of Vico’s philosophy of law in
Scienza nuova
can
do without placing it within the arc of Vico’s entire life’s work
36
.
In this connection, his
Diritto universale
presents a milestone
37
.
While juridical themes were part of several of his earlier inaugu-
ral addresses to faculty and students at the beginning of the aca-
demic year at his university, and in particular of his 1708 oration,
published as
De nostri temporis studiorum ratione
38
,
Diritto universale
written in its major parts from 1720 to 1722 represented a new
level of Vichian reflection, and contains the expression “Nova
scientia tentatur” (New science is assayed [attempted]) as a chap-
ter heading
39
. For our purposes of pinpointing the literary struc-
ture of
Scienza nuova
,
Diritto universale
also provides another build-
ing block that is directly relevant to the beginning of
Scienza
nuova
. This particular chapter contains a “chronological table”
and accompanying notes, material that is missing in the
Scienza
nuova 1725
40
.
In terms of format, it is a straightforward consecu-
tive chronological listing of events after “the Flood,” with re-
spect to the Hebrews, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Phoenicians,
Greeks, and Romans, unlike the 1730/1744
Scienza nuova
Chron-
ological Table that has designated side-by-side columns for these
nations
41
. But it is not merely the format in
Scienza nuova
that is
somewhat different, the real difference lies in the material about
the legal history of Rome. Examining the new chronology and
notes through the lens of Book V
42
, namely its focus on the his-
tory and development of legal structures, both in form and con-
tent, it becomes quickly apparent that the new chronology is put
in service of Vico’s philosopy of universally valid law, the princi-
ples of which can be glimpsed in Roman law. In the chronology
of
Diritto universale
, the only direct reference to Roman law is the
matter-of-fact statement under the date of 303 A.U.C. [451 B.C.]:
the Law of the XII Tables is enacted in Rome»
43
. The note in
Sci-