Although Article 38 of the ICJ’s Statute confers “subsidiary” status to “the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists,” they are an important source of international law. Juristic writings made substantial contribution especially in the formative period of modern international law. In this process, publicists made use of natural law principles, analogies from Roman law, and generalization of State practice whenever possible. The writings of Gentilis, Pufendorf, Grotius, Bynkershoek, Van Martens and Vattel, among others, had enormous influence in the development of international law.