"Barbarian Law" refers to the legal systems and customs practiced by various tribes and groups in ancient times, particularly during the early Middle Ages. These laws were often unwritten and based on traditions, oral agreements, and community consensus. They emphasized restitution and compensation for wrongs rather than punitive measures, reflecting the values and social structures of the tribes. The term is often associated with the Germanic tribes and other non-Roman societies that interacted with the Roman Empire. As these tribes settled and formed kingdoms, their laws began to evolve, influencing the development of medieval European legal systems.