Prospero Farinacci

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Prospero Farinacci

Italian jurist

Also known as: Prospero Farinaccius

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Oct 26, 2024 • Article History

Quick Facts

Latin:: Farinaccius

Born:: October 30, 1544, Rome

Died:: October 30, 1618, Rome (aged 74)

Also Known As:: Prospero Farinaccius

Notable Works:: “Praxis et Theorica Criminalis”

Prospero Farinacci (born October 30, 1544, Rome—died October 30, 1618, Rome) was an Italian jurist whose Praxis et Theorica Criminalis (1616) was the strongest influence on penology in Roman-law countries until the reforms of the criminologist-economist Cesare Beccaria (1738–94). The Praxis is most noteworthy as the definitive work on the jurisprudence of torture.

After studying law at Padua and earning a reputation as an advocate, Farinacci entered papal service under Clement VIII and was procurator general to Paul V. A staunch churchman, Farinacci upheld the inviolability of the confessional seal (i.e., the guarantee that a confession is between the confessor, the priest, and God alone) against all theories of state necessity.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.