ðeɪ wɜː ðˈʌs ðə nˈætʃɚɹəl mˈiːdɪˌeɪɾɚɹ ɪn ˈɪɾəli wɛn ðɛɹwˌʌz nˈoʊ ˈɛmpɚɹɚ ænd ðeɪ hæd ɪmpˈɪɹiəl ɐθˈɔːɹɪɾi, ðeɪ kɹiːˈeɪɾᵻd ɐ kˌɑːmpɹihˈɛnsɪv sˈɪstəm ʌv lˈɔː.
They were thus the natural mediator in Italy when there was no emperor (and they had Imperial authority), they created a comprehensive system of law.