GIOVANNI BASSIANO (Bazianus, Baxianus). - A decretalist glossator from Bologna. He was the first doctor utriusque iuris.
Between 1180 and 1190 he wrote an Apparatus in Decretum, a work carried out in complete independence from the other glossators, according to sound and exclusively juridical criteria; owing to the author’s solid training in both laws, it possessed an unmistakable character of completeness and originality, affirmed the importance of the law of the Decretali, and exercised a decisive influence. His glosses extend to the Decretali of Alessandro III. He died on 22 February 1197 in Bologna, where he was a canon of the Cathedral.
He is not to be confused with his namesake and contemporary Giovanni Bassiani of Cremona, a civil-law glossator and professor at the University of Bologna.