GIOVANNI BASSIANO (Bazianus, Baxianus). — 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 full independence from other glossators, with exclusive juridical criteria, and which, due to the author’s solid preparation in both rights, had an unmistakable character of completeness and originality. It affirmed the importance of the law of the Decretals and exerted a decisive influence. His glosses extend to the Decretals of Alexander III. He died on 22 February 1197 in Bologna, where he was canon of the Cathedral.
Not to be confused with the namesake and contemporary Giovanni Bassiano, from Cremona, a civilist glossator and professor at the University of Bologna.