Justinian•CODEX
Abbo Floriacensis1 work
Abelard3 works
Addison9 works
Adso Dervensis1 work
Aelredus Rievallensis1 work
Alanus de Insulis2 works
Albert of Aix1 work
HISTORIA HIEROSOLYMITANAE EXPEDITIONIS12 sections
Albertano of Brescia5 works
DE AMORE ET DILECTIONE DEI4 sections
SERMONES4 sections
Alcuin9 works
Alfonsi1 work
Ambrose4 works
Ambrosius4 works
Ammianus1 work
Ampelius1 work
Andrea da Bergamo1 work
Andreas Capellanus1 work
DE AMORE LIBRI TRES3 sections
Annales Regni Francorum1 work
Annales Vedastini1 work
Annales Xantenses1 work
Anonymus Neveleti1 work
Anonymus Valesianus2 works
Apicius1 work
DE RE COQUINARIA5 sections
Appendix Vergiliana1 work
Apuleius2 works
METAMORPHOSES12 sections
DE DOGMATE PLATONIS6 sections
Aquinas6 works
Archipoeta1 work
Arnobius1 work
ADVERSVS NATIONES LIBRI VII7 sections
Arnulf of Lisieux1 work
Asconius1 work
Asserius1 work
Augustine5 works
CONFESSIONES13 sections
DE CIVITATE DEI23 sections
DE TRINITATE15 sections
CONTRA SECUNDAM IULIANI RESPONSIONEM2 sections
Augustus1 work
RES GESTAE DIVI AVGVSTI2 sections
Aurelius Victor1 work
LIBER ET INCERTORVM LIBRI3 sections
Ausonius2 works
Avianus1 work
Avienus2 works
Bacon3 works
HISTORIA REGNI HENRICI SEPTIMI REGIS ANGLIAE11 sections
Balde2 works
Baldo1 work
Bebel1 work
Bede2 works
HISTORIAM ECCLESIASTICAM GENTIS ANGLORUM7 sections
Benedict1 work
Berengar1 work
Bernard of Clairvaux1 work
Bernard of Cluny1 work
DE CONTEMPTU MUNDI LIBRI DUO2 sections
Biblia Sacra3 works
VETUS TESTAMENTUM49 sections
NOVUM TESTAMENTUM27 sections
Bigges1 work
Boethius de Dacia2 works
Bonaventure1 work
Breve Chronicon Northmannicum1 work
Buchanan1 work
Bultelius2 works
Caecilius Balbus1 work
Caesar3 works
COMMENTARIORUM LIBRI VII DE BELLO GALLICO CUM A. HIRTI SUPPLEMENTO8 sections
COMMENTARIORUM LIBRI III DE BELLO CIVILI3 sections
LIBRI INCERTORUM AUCTORUM3 sections
Calpurnius Flaccus1 work
Calpurnius Siculus1 work
Campion8 works
Carmen Arvale1 work
Carmen de Martyrio1 work
Carmen in Victoriam1 work
Carmen Saliare1 work
Carmina Burana1 work
Cassiodorus5 works
Catullus1 work
Censorinus1 work
Christian Creeds1 work
Cicero3 works
ORATORIA33 sections
PHILOSOPHIA21 sections
EPISTULAE4 sections
Cinna Helvius1 work
Claudian4 works
Claudii Oratio1 work
Claudius Caesar1 work
Columbus1 work
Columella2 works
Commodianus3 works
Conradus Celtis2 works
Constitutum Constantini1 work
Contemporary9 works
Cotta1 work
Dante4 works
Dares the Phrygian1 work
de Ave Phoenice1 work
De Expugnatione Terrae Sanctae per Saladinum1 work
Declaratio Arbroathis1 work
Decretum Gelasianum1 work
Descartes1 work
Dies Irae1 work
Disticha Catonis1 work
Egeria1 work
ITINERARIUM PEREGRINATIO2 sections
Einhard1 work
Ennius1 work
Epistolae Austrasicae1 work
Epistulae de Priapismo1 work
Erasmus7 works
Erchempert1 work
Eucherius1 work
Eugippius1 work
Eutropius1 work
BREVIARIVM HISTORIAE ROMANAE10 sections
Exurperantius1 work
Fabricius Montanus1 work
Falcandus1 work
Falcone di Benevento1 work
Ficino1 work
Fletcher1 work
Florus1 work
EPITOME DE T. LIVIO BELLORUM OMNIUM ANNORUM DCC LIBRI DUO2 sections
Foedus Aeternum1 work
Forsett2 works
Fredegarius1 work
Frodebertus & Importunus1 work
Frontinus3 works
STRATEGEMATA4 sections
DE AQUAEDUCTU URBIS ROMAE2 sections
OPUSCULA RERUM RUSTICARUM4 sections
Fulgentius3 works
MITOLOGIARUM LIBRI TRES3 sections
Gaius4 works
Galileo1 work
Garcilaso de la Vega1 work
Gaudeamus Igitur1 work
Gellius1 work
Germanicus1 work
Gesta Francorum10 works
Gesta Romanorum1 work
Gioacchino da Fiore1 work
Godfrey of Winchester2 works
Grattius1 work
Gregorii Mirabilia Urbis Romae1 work
Gregorius Magnus1 work
Gregory IX5 works
Gregory of Tours1 work
LIBRI HISTORIARUM10 sections
Gregory the Great1 work
Gregory VII1 work
Gwinne8 works
Henry of Settimello1 work
Henry VII1 work
Historia Apolloni1 work
Historia Augusta30 works
Historia Brittonum1 work
Holberg1 work
Horace3 works
SERMONES2 sections
CARMINA4 sections
EPISTULAE5 sections
Hugo of St. Victor2 works
Hydatius2 works
Hyginus3 works
Hymni1 work
Hymni et cantica1 work
Iacobus de Voragine1 work
LEGENDA AUREA24 sections
Ilias Latina1 work
Iordanes2 works
Isidore of Seville3 works
ETYMOLOGIARVM SIVE ORIGINVM LIBRI XX20 sections
SENTENTIAE LIBRI III3 sections
Iulius Obsequens1 work
Iulius Paris1 work
Ius Romanum4 works
Janus Secundus2 works
Johann H. Withof1 work
Johann P. L. Withof1 work
Johannes de Alta Silva1 work
Johannes de Plano Carpini1 work
John of Garland1 work
Jordanes2 works
Julius Obsequens1 work
Junillus1 work
Justin1 work
HISTORIARVM PHILIPPICARVM T. POMPEII TROGI LIBRI XLIV IN EPITOMEN REDACTI46 sections
Justinian3 works
INSTITVTIONES5 sections
CODEX12 sections
DIGESTA50 sections
Juvenal1 work
Kepler1 work
Landor4 works
Laurentius Corvinus2 works
Legenda Regis Stephani1 work
Leo of Naples1 work
HISTORIA DE PRELIIS ALEXANDRI MAGNI3 sections
Leo the Great1 work
SERMONES DE QUADRAGESIMA2 sections
Liber Kalilae et Dimnae1 work
Liber Pontificalis1 work
Livius Andronicus1 work
Livy1 work
AB VRBE CONDITA LIBRI37 sections
Lotichius1 work
Lucan1 work
DE BELLO CIVILI SIVE PHARSALIA10 sections
Lucretius1 work
DE RERVM NATVRA LIBRI SEX6 sections
Lupus Protospatarius Barensis1 work
Macarius of Alexandria1 work
Macarius the Great1 work
Magna Carta1 work
Maidstone1 work
Malaterra1 work
DE REBUS GESTIS ROGERII CALABRIAE ET SICILIAE COMITIS ET ROBERTI GUISCARDI DUCIS FRATRIS EIUS4 sections
Manilius1 work
ASTRONOMICON5 sections
Marbodus Redonensis1 work
Marcellinus Comes2 works
Martial1 work
Martin of Braga13 works
Marullo1 work
Marx1 work
Maximianus1 work
May1 work
SUPPLEMENTUM PHARSALIAE8 sections
Melanchthon4 works
Milton1 work
Minucius Felix1 work
Mirabilia Urbis Romae1 work
Mirandola1 work
CARMINA9 sections
Miscellanea Carminum42 works
Montanus1 work
Naevius1 work
Navagero1 work
Nemesianus1 work
ECLOGAE4 sections
Nepos3 works
LIBER DE EXCELLENTIBUS DVCIBUS EXTERARVM GENTIVM24 sections
Newton1 work
PHILOSOPHIÆ NATURALIS PRINCIPIA MATHEMATICA4 sections
Nithardus1 work
HISTORIARUM LIBRI QUATTUOR4 sections
Notitia Dignitatum2 works
Novatian1 work
Origo gentis Langobardorum1 work
Orosius1 work
HISTORIARUM ADVERSUM PAGANOS LIBRI VII7 sections
Otto of Freising1 work
GESTA FRIDERICI IMPERATORIS5 sections
Ovid7 works
METAMORPHOSES15 sections
AMORES3 sections
HEROIDES21 sections
ARS AMATORIA3 sections
TRISTIA5 sections
EX PONTO4 sections
Owen1 work
Papal Bulls4 works
Pascoli5 works
Passerat1 work
Passio Perpetuae1 work
Patricius1 work
Tome I: Panaugia2 sections
Paulinus Nolensis1 work
Paulus Diaconus4 works
Persius1 work
Pervigilium Veneris1 work
Petronius2 works
Petrus Blesensis1 work
Petrus de Ebulo1 work
Phaedrus2 works
FABVLARVM AESOPIARVM LIBRI QVINQVE5 sections
Phineas Fletcher1 work
Planctus destructionis1 work
Plautus21 works
Pliny the Younger2 works
EPISTVLARVM LIBRI DECEM10 sections
Poggio Bracciolini1 work
Pomponius Mela1 work
DE CHOROGRAPHIA3 sections
Pontano1 work
Poree1 work
Porphyrius1 work
Precatio Terrae1 work
Priapea1 work
Professio Contra Priscillianum1 work
Propertius1 work
ELEGIAE4 sections
Prosperus3 works
Prudentius2 works
Pseudoplatonica12 works
Publilius Syrus1 work
Quintilian2 works
INSTITUTIONES12 sections
Raoul of Caen1 work
Regula ad Monachos1 work
Reposianus1 work
Ricardi de Bury1 work
Richerus1 work
HISTORIARUM LIBRI QUATUOR4 sections
Rimbaud1 work
Ritchie's Fabulae Faciles1 work
Roman Epitaphs1 work
Roman Inscriptions1 work
Ruaeus1 work
Ruaeus' Aeneid1 work
Rutilius Lupus1 work
Rutilius Namatianus1 work
Sabinus1 work
EPISTULAE TRES AD OVIDIANAS EPISTULAS RESPONSORIAE3 sections
Sallust10 works
Sannazaro2 works
Scaliger1 work
Sedulius2 works
CARMEN PASCHALE5 sections
Seneca9 works
EPISTULAE MORALES AD LUCILIUM16 sections
QUAESTIONES NATURALES7 sections
DE CONSOLATIONE3 sections
DE IRA3 sections
DE BENEFICIIS3 sections
DIALOGI7 sections
FABULAE8 sections
Septem Sapientum1 work
Sidonius Apollinaris2 works
Sigebert of Gembloux3 works
Silius Italicus1 work
Solinus2 works
DE MIRABILIBUS MUNDI Mommsen 1st edition (1864)4 sections
DE MIRABILIBUS MUNDI C.L.F. Panckoucke edition (Paris 1847)4 sections
Spinoza1 work
Statius3 works
THEBAID12 sections
ACHILLEID2 sections
Stephanus de Varda1 work
Suetonius2 works
Sulpicia1 work
Sulpicius Severus2 works
CHRONICORUM LIBRI DUO2 sections
Syrus1 work
Tacitus5 works
Terence6 works
Tertullian32 works
Testamentum Porcelli1 work
Theodolus1 work
Theodosius16 works
Theophanes1 work
Thomas à Kempis1 work
DE IMITATIONE CHRISTI4 sections
Thomas of Edessa1 work
Tibullus1 work
TIBVLLI ALIORVMQUE CARMINVM LIBRI TRES3 sections
Tünger1 work
Valerius Flaccus1 work
Valerius Maximus1 work
FACTORVM ET DICTORVM MEMORABILIVM LIBRI NOVEM9 sections
Vallauri1 work
Varro2 works
RERVM RVSTICARVM DE AGRI CVLTURA3 sections
DE LINGVA LATINA7 sections
Vegetius1 work
EPITOMA REI MILITARIS LIBRI IIII4 sections
Velleius Paterculus1 work
HISTORIAE ROMANAE2 sections
Venantius Fortunatus1 work
Vico1 work
Vida1 work
Vincent of Lérins1 work
Virgil3 works
AENEID12 sections
ECLOGUES10 sections
GEORGICON4 sections
Vita Agnetis1 work
Vita Caroli IV1 work
Vita Sancti Columbae2 works
Vitruvius1 work
DE ARCHITECTVRA10 sections
Waardenburg1 work
Waltarius3 works
Walter Mapps2 works
Walter of Châtillon1 work
William of Apulia1 work
William of Conches2 works
William of Tyre1 work
HISTORIA RERUM IN PARTIBUS TRANSMARINIS GESTARUM24 sections
Xylander1 work
Zonaras1 work
CJ.11.7.0. De metallariis et metallis et procuratoribus metallorum.
CJ.11.8.0. De murilegulis et gynaeciariis et procuratoribus gynaecii et de monetariis et bastagariis.
CJ.11.9.0. De vestibus holoveris et auratis et de intinctione sacri muricis.
CJ.11.7.0. On the miners and the mines and the procurators of the mines.
CJ.11.8.0. On mousers (rat-catchers) and gynaecium-workers and the procurators of the gynaecium, and on the moneyers and baggage-carriers (porters).
CJ.11.9.0. On holoverae (all-silk) and gilded garments, and on the dyeing of the sacred murex.
CJ.11.67.0. De fundis et saltibus rei dominicae.
CJ.11.68.0. De agricolis et mancipiis dominicis vel fiscalibus sive rei privatae.
CJ.11.69.0. De praediis tamiacis et de his qui ex colonis dominicis aliisque liberare condicionis procreantur.
CJ.11.67.0. On the farms and woodlands of the dominical estate.
CJ.11.68.0. On the farmers and slaves of the dominical or fiscal domain, or of the private estate.
CJ.11.69.0. On the tamiac estates (treasury estates) and on those who, from dominical coloni (tenant-farmers) and others, are begotten of free condition.
CJ.11.70.0. De diversis praediis urbanis et rusticis templorum et civitatum et omni reditu civili.
CJ.11.71.0. De locatione praediorum civilium vel fiscalium sive templorum sive rei privatae vel dominicae.
CJ.11.72.0. De conductoribus et procuratoribus sive actoribus praediorum fiscalium et domus augustae.
CJ.11.70.0. On the various urban and rural estates of temples and cities and on all civic revenue.
CJ.11.71.0. On the leasing of civic or fiscal estates, whether of temples or of the private domain or the imperial domain.
CJ.11.72.0. On the lessees and procurators or stewards of fiscal estates and of the Imperial House.
CJ.11.73.0. Quibus ad conductionem praediorum fiscalium accedere non licet.
CJ.11.74.0. De collatione fundorum fiscalium vel rei privatae vel dominicae vel civitatum vel templorum.
CJ.11.75.0. De privilegiis domus augustae vel rei privatae et quarum collationum excusationem habent.
CJ.11.73.0. On those who are not permitted to enter into the lease of fiscal estates.
CJ.11.74.0. On the assessment of the lands of the fisc, or of the Private Estate, or of the Imperial Domain, or of cities, or of temples.
CJ.11.75.0. On the privileges of the Imperial House or of the Private Estate, and from which contributions they have exemption.
Nullam vim oportet navicularios sustinere delegatas species annonarias transferentes nec concussiones perpeti nec aliquod genus incommodi, sed venientes ac remeantes omni securitate potiri: decem auri librarum multa proponenda his, qui eos inquietare temptaverint. * constantius a. et iul. c.Olybrio pu. *<a 357 d.K.Iun.Romae constantio viiii et iuliano c.Ii conss.>
Shipmasters conveying delegated annona provisions ought to sustain no violence, nor to endure concussions (extortions) nor any kind of inconvenience, but, coming and returning, to enjoy complete security: a mulct of ten pounds of gold is to be set forth against those who shall attempt to trouble them. * constantius augustus and julian caesar to olybrius, urban prefect. *<a 357 on the Kalends of June at Rome constantius 9 and julian c. 2 consuls.>
Comperimus naucleros susceptas species in negotiationis emolumenta convertere. ideoque decernimus, ut intra annum quas susceperint inferant species et securitates reportent, quae etiam diem illationis edoceant, ut intra alterum annum eis reddantur, a quibus species praestitae sunt. * arcad.
We have learned that shipmasters convert the commodities undertaken into the emoluments of trade. And so we decree that within a year they shall bring in the commodities which they have received and carry back securities which also make known the day of delivery, so that within the second year they may be returned to those by whom the commodities were furnished. * Arcadius.
Cum nauarchorum coetus circiter provincias orientis inopia navium tribuaret et investigandae classis obtentu insularum secessus obiret et navigandi opportunitate transacta iudiciorum indignatio sine transvectionis expectaretur effectu, merito celsitudo tua praefecto augustali et insularum praeside conventis alexandrinae et carpathiae classis summates et nonnullos alios naucleros eo professionis adduxit, ut onus frumentarii commeatus, qui per orientales nauarchos ex alexandrinae civitatis conditis consueverat ad sacratissimam urbem transferri, in suam fidem susceptum ad eadem augustissimae urbis horrea comportarent, solaciis pro mercedula praestitis ex tributariae pensitationis immunitate vel ex eo, quod vocatur éphilikoné, nec non etiam aliis, quae tuae cognitionis limavit examen. * honor. et theodos.
Since the gathering of the navarchs, throughout the provinces of the East, by reason of a scarcity of ships was parcelling out its charges, and, under the pretext of investigating the fleet, was frequenting the retreats of the islands, and, the opportunity for sailing having passed, the indignation of the courts was being awaited without any effect of transport, your Highness rightly, having convened the Augustal Prefect and the governor of the Islands, brought the chiefs of the Alexandrian and Carpathian fleet and several other shipowners to this undertaking: that the burden of the frumentary convoy, which by the eastern navarchs from the storehouses of the city of Alexandria had been accustomed to be transferred to the most sacred City, they should, taken under their surety, carry to the same most august City’s granaries, reliefs being provided in lieu of a small wage, from immunity in the payment of tribute, or from that which is called the éphilikoné, and also from other things which the scrutiny of your cognizance has refined. * honorius and theodosius.
In his, quae navicularii vendunt, quoniam intercipere contractum emendi vendendique fas prohibet, emptor navicualrii functionem pro modo portionis comparatae subeat: res enim oneri addicta est, non persona mercatoris. * valentin. et valens et grat.
In the things which shipowners sell, since right forbids intercepting the contract of buying and selling, the buyer shall assume the shipowner’s function according to the measure of the portion purchased: for the thing is bound to the burden, not the person of the merchant. * Valentinian and Valens and Gratian.
Neque navicularium iubemus fieri eum, qui aliquid comparavit, sed eam partem quae empta est pro suo modo ac ratione esse munificam: nec enim totum patrimonium ad functionem naviculariam occupandum erit, quod habuerit qui rei exiguae mercator accessit, sed illa portio, quae ab initio navicularii fuit, ad pensionem huiusmodi functionis sola tenenda est, residuo patrimonio, quod ab hoc vinculo liberum est, otioso et immuni servando.<a 375 d.Iii non.Aug.Post consulatum gratiani a.Iii et equitii vc. >
Nor do we order that the one who has acquired something become a navicularius, but that the part which was bought be subject to the munus according to its own measure and reckoning: for the whole patrimony possessed by one who has entered as a merchant in a small concern is not to be seized for the navicularian function, but only that portion which from the beginning belonged to the navicularius is to be held for the payment of such a function, the remaining patrimony, which is free from this bond, being kept idle and exempt.<a 375, on the 3rd day before the Nones of August. After the consulship of Gratian, Augustus, 3, and of Equitius, most illustrious. >
Domus vero, quarum cultu decus urbium potius quam fructus adquiritur, ubi a naviculariis veneunt, pro tanto modo ad hanc pensionem obligari placet, quantum habebant emolumentum, cum pecunia mutuarentur.<a 375 d.Iii non.Aug.Post consulatum gratiani a.Iii et equitii vc. >
Houses indeed, by whose upkeep the ornament of cities rather than profit is acquired, when they are sold by the shipowners, it is decreed that they be obligated to this payment only to such a measure as the emolument they had when they borrowed money.<a 375 d.Iii non.Aug.Post consulatum gratiani a.Iii et equitii vc. >
Ubi vero spatia loci et exiguitas nullam habuit pensionem aut extructio, cuius est ardua difficilisque molitio, aut decus sumptuosum, aut, ut est plerumque liberale institutum, habitationem quis suam ornamento urbis adiecit, nolumus munificentiam quae postea addita est improbam licitationem aestimationis excipere: sed vetusta potius loci species et pensio cogitetur quam cultus hodiernus, qui per industriam hominis animosi accessit.<a 375 d.Iii non.Aug.Post consulatum gratiani a.Iii et equitii vc. >
Where, however, the dimensions and narrowness of the site had carried no rent, or a construction whose undertaking is arduous and difficult, or a sumptuous adornment, or—as is for the most part a liberal institution—someone has added his own dwelling as an ornament of the city, we do not wish the munificence which was afterward added to be caught by an improper bidding of valuation; but rather let the ancient aspect of the place and its rent be considered than the present cultivation, which has accrued through the industry of a high‑spirited man.<a in 375, on the 3rd day before the Nones of August. After the consulship of gratiani, year 3, and of equitii, a most distinguished man. >
Hi, qui fundos naviculariae functioni adscriptos a naviculariis acceperunt quodlibet ad se titulo transeuntes, secundum agri opinionem, quae antiquitus habetur adscripta, naviculariam functionem suscipere cogantur neque eas condiciones sibi aestiment profuturas, quas venditor minus idoneus in se recipit impositas ementis arbitrio: hac tamen ratione servata, ut, si ad minus idoneum fuerit translata possessio, etiam auctores transscripti praedii teneantur obnoxii, sitque hoc in promptu, ut damnis fiscalibus primitus ab idoneis consulatur. * arcad. et honor.
Those who have received from the navicularii estates adscripted to the navicular service, passing over to themselves under whatever title, are to be compelled to undertake the navicular service according to the rating of the land, which from ancient times is held as adscripted; nor are they to consider as advantageous to themselves those conditions which a less suitable seller takes upon himself, imposed at the buyer’s discretion: yet with this provision maintained, that, if the possession has been transferred to a less suitable person, the grantors (authors) of the alienated estate also be held liable, and let this be ready to hand, that fiscal losses be made good first by those who are suitable. * Arcadius and Honorius.
Nam ut privatos quoque non prohibemus habere navigia, ita fraudi locum esse non sinimus, cum omnes in commune, si necessitas exegerit, conveniat utilitatibus publicis oboedire et subvectionem sine dignitatis privilegio celebrare.<a 406 d.Iii id.Ian.Ravennae arcadio a.Vi et probo conss.>
For just as we do not forbid private persons also to have ships, so we do not allow any room for fraud, since it is fitting that all, in common, if necessity requires, obey public interests and perform transport without the privilege of rank.<a 406 d. 3 Id. Jan. at Ravenna Arcadius Augustus 6 and Probus consuls.>
Iubemus nullam navem ultra duorum milium modiorum capacem ante felicem embolam vel publicarum specierum transvectionem aut privilegio dignitatis aut religionis intuitu aut praerogativa personae publicis utilitatibus excusari posse subtractam: nec si caeleste contra proferatur oraculum, sive adnotatio sit sive divina pragmatica, providentissimae legis regulas oppugnare debebit. * theodos. et valentin.
We order that no ship with a capacity beyond two thousand modii, before the favorable embolum (safe-sailing season) or the transport of public supplies, can be excused, having been withdrawn, from public utilities by a privilege of dignity or out of regard for religion or by a prerogative of person: nor, even if a heavenly oracle be produced to the contrary—whether it be an annotation or a divine pragmatic sanction—ought it to assail the rules of the most provident law. * theodos. and valentin.
Quod etiam in omnibus causis huiusmodi contra ius vel utilitatem publicam in quolibet negotio proferatur, non valeat. quidquid enim in fraudem istius legis quolibet modo fuerit attemptatum, id navigii quod excusatur publicatione corrigimus.<a 439 d.Vii id.April.Constantinopoli theodosio a.Xvii et festo conss.>
Let anything of this kind which is put forward against law or the public utility in any transaction likewise be not valid. For whatever shall have been attempted in fraud of this law in any manner, we correct by public forfeiture the vessel that is pleaded as an excuse.<a 439 d.7 id.April.Constantinople theodosius a.17 et festus conss.>
Oneri publico sarcinam privatam ne quis imponat nec audeat portitores frumenti ad suscipiendum onus aliqua necessitate compellere. hoc enim facto atque commisso non in dispendium solum atque naufragii damnum tenebitur obligatus, verum etiam publicae coercitionis experietur vigorem. * arcad.
Let no one impose a private load upon the public burden, nor dare to compel the porters of grain to undertake a burden by any necessity. For by this act and offense he will be held bound not only to loss and to the damage of shipwreck, but he will also experience the vigor of public coercion. * Arcadius.
Si quis navicularius naufragium sustinuisse adfirmat, provinciae iudicem, eius videlicet, in qua res agitur, adire festinet ac probet apud eum testibus eventum , relatioque ad sublimissimam referatur praefecturam, ita ut intra anni spatium veritate revelata competens dispositio procedat. quod si per neglegentiam praefinitum anni spatium fortasse claudatur, supervacuas serasque interpellationes emenso anno placuit non admitti. * valentin.
If any shipowner affirms that he has sustained a shipwreck, let him hasten to approach the judge of the province—namely, of that in which the matter is being conducted—and let him prove before him by witnesses the occurrence , and let a report be referred to the most exalted Prefecture, such that, with the truth revealed, a competent disposition may proceed within the span of a year. But if through negligence the pre-defined span of a year should perhaps be closed, it has been decreed that superfluous and belated interpellations, once the year has elapsed, are not to be admitted. * Valentinian.
Quotiens obruta vel submersa fluctibus navi examen adhibetur competentis iudicis , duorum vel trium nautarum quaestione habita ceteri ab huiusmodi nexu liberentur. quid est enim, quod non abunde intra praefinitum numerum sollers quaesitor inveniat? * grat.
As often as, with the ship overwhelmed or submerged by the waves, the examination of a competent judge is employed, once an inquiry of two or three sailors has been held, let the rest be freed from a bond of this kind. for what is there that a skillful inquisitor would not abundantly discover within the pre-defined number? * grat.
Sane si universos violentia tempestatis obruerit, ne veritas lateat, a liberis nautarum sive magistrorum intra iudicia constitutis super eorum quaeratur interitu, quos navicularius naufragio perisse contendit.<a 380. d.Viii id.Febr.Triveris gratiano v et theodosio aa.Conss.>
Indeed, if the violence of a storm has overwhelmed them all, lest the truth lie hidden, let inquiry be made, from the children of the sailors or of the masters, set within the courts, about the death of those whom the shipowner asserts to have perished in a shipwreck.<a 380. on the 8th day before the Ides of February, at Trier, Gratian 5 and Theodosius, Emperors, Consuls.>
De submersis navibus decernimus, ut levato velo istae causae cognoscantur. et si quisquam de talibus negotiis aliquid accepisse detegitur, iudex, apud quem constiterit, his conquerentibus qui nudantur pro qualitatibus personarum multandi removendi proscribendi habeat potestatem. * honor.
Concerning sunken ships we decree that, with the veil lifted, these cases be examined. and if anyone is discovered to have received anything in such transactions, the judge, before whom it has been established, shall have the power, for these complainants who are stripped, in proportion to the qualities of the persons, to fine, to remove, to proscribe. * honor.
Si vero causarum talium cognitores, libelli datione vel planaria interpellatione commoniti intra biennium has causas audire neglexerint, et hoc fuerit tempus elapsum, praeiudicium noceat eatenus cognitori, ut naviculario propter vitium iudicis absoluto mediam oneris eius partem, propter cuius probandam amissionem legitimo dumtaxat tempore cognitio petebatur, iudex cogatur inferre, residuam vero officium eius exsolvat.<a 412 d.Xvi k.April.Ravennae honorio viiii et theodosio v aa.Conss. >
But if indeed the adjudicators of such causes, having been reminded by the delivery of a libellus or by a summary interpellation, have neglected to hear these cases within two years, and this time has elapsed, let prejudice harm the adjudicator to this extent: that, the navicularius, on account of the judge’s fault, having been acquitted—for the proving of whose loss a hearing was being sought only within the lawful time—the judge be compelled to pay half of his burden, while the remainder his office shall discharge.<a 412 16th day before the Kalends of April. At Ravenna. In the consulship of Honorius 9 and Theodosius 5, Augusti. >
Super naufragiorum quae contigerint casibus usitato more habita quaestione si quis calculus modiationis dicatur tempestate maris deperisse, sub tuae sedis auditione nequaquam feratur acceptus, sed haec dispendii iactura in omne naviculariorum concilium, pro rata scilicet contingentis muneris, deferatur. * honor. et theodos.
On the question held, according to the customary practice, concerning the mishaps of shipwrecks that have occurred, if the tally of the measure (calculus modiationis) is said to have perished in a sea-storm, let it by no means be accepted under the hearing of your tribunal; but let this loss be referred to the entire council of the shipowners, pro rata, namely according to the share of the burden that pertains. * honor. et theodos.
Cum procuratores metallorum intra macedoniam daciam mediterraneam moesiam seu dardaniam soliti ex curialibus ordinari, per quos sollemnis profligatur exactio, simulato hostili metu huic se necessitati subtraxerint, ad implendum munus retrahantur, et nulli deinceps licentia laxetur prius indebitas expetere dignitates, quam subeundam procurationem fideli sollertique exactione compleverint. * grat. valentin.
Since the procurators of the mines within Macedonia, Dacia Mediterranea, Moesia, or Dardania—who are accustomed to be appointed from the curials, through whom the customary exaction is accomplished—have withdrawn themselves from this necessity by a simulated fear of the enemy, let them be brought back to fulfill the duty; and henceforth let permission be granted to no one to seek unearned dignities before they have undertaken the procuratorship and completed it with faithful and skillful exaction. * Gratian, Valentinian
Quosdam operta humo esse saxa dicentes id agere cognovimus, ut defossis in altum cuniculis alienarum aedium fundamenta labefactent. qua de re, si quando huiusmodi marmora sub aedificiis latere dicantur, perquirendi eadem copia denegetur. * valentin.
We have learned that certain persons, saying that stones are covered by earth, are doing this: that, with tunnels dug deep, they destabilize the foundations of other people’s buildings. Wherefore, if ever marbles of this kind are said to lie hidden beneath buildings, license to search for the same is to be denied. * valentin.
Metallarii sive metallariae, qui quaeve ea regione deserta, ex qua videntur oriundi vel oriundae, ad externa migraverint, indubitanter sine ulla temporis praescriptione ad propriae originis stirpem laremque una cum sua subole revocentur, et quos domus nostrae secreta retineant. sciant autem nullum exinde praeiudicium fisco esse generandum, etiamsi is, quem metallicum esse constiterit, privatis censibus suum nomen indiderit. * theodos.
Metallarii or metallariae, who from that deserted region, from which they seem to be originating, have migrated to foreign parts, are to be unquestionably, without any limitation of time, recalled to the stock and hearth of their own origin together with their issue; and those whom the private apartments (secreta) of our house may detain, let them know that no prejudice is thereby to be generated to the fisc, even if he, whom it has been established to be a metallarius, has inserted his name in private censuses. * theodos.
Procuratores rei privatae baphii et gynaecii, per quos et privata nostra substantia tenuatur et species in gynaeciis confectae corrumpuntur, in baphyiis etiam admixta temeratio naevum adducit inquinatae adluvionis, suffragiis abstineant, per quae memoratas administrationes adipiscuntur, vel, si contra hoc fecerint, gladio feriantur. * const. a. ad felicem.
Let the procurators of the res privata of the baphia and the gynaecia—through whom both our private substance is diminished and the products fashioned in the gynaecia are spoiled, and in the baphia too a reckless admixture brings a blemish of polluted wash—abstain from bribes, by which they obtain the aforementioned administrations; or, if they act against this, let them be struck by the sword. * a constitution of the Augustus to Felix.
Ingenuae mulieres, quae se gynaeciariis sociaverint, si conventae denuntiatione sollemni splendorem generis contuberniorum vilitati praeferre noluerint, suorum maritorum condicione teneantur. * valentin. et valens aa. ad germanum consularem.
Freeborn women who have associated themselves with gynaeceum‑workers, if, when summoned by solemn denuntiation, they are unwilling to prefer the splendor of their lineage to the vileness of contubernia, shall be held to the condition of their husbands. * valentinian and valens, the augusti, to germanus, consularis.
Edicimus, ne qua mulier splendidioris gradus monetarii adhaerens consortio decus nativae libertatis amittat. quod si quam ab hac praeceptione statutum nostrae perennitatis abduxerit, ea vel legitima admonita conventione discedat vel, si complexui monetarii putaverit inhaerendum, non ambigat se et liberis praeiudicaturam et eius condicioni esse nectendam. * grat.
We decree that no woman of more splendid rank, adhering to the consortship of a moneyer, shall lose the honor of native liberty. But if any appointment of our Perpetuity shall have led any woman away from this instruction, let her, when admonished, either depart by a lawful agreement, or, if she has thought she must cling to the embrace of the moneyer, let her not doubt that she will prejudice herself and her children and that she is to be bound to his condition. * Grat.
Si qua vero originaria seu colonaria possessionis alienae ignaro domino seu sciente monetario adsociabitur, ii conventi mox iuri agrorum debitas personas retrahere festinent vel de cetero sciant repetendi facultatem silentii sui coniventia perdidisse.<a 380 d. prid. id. mart. aquileiae post consulatum ausonii et olybrii.>
If indeed any originary or colonary person of another’s holding is associated, the owner being unaware or the moneyer being aware, those, when summoned, should at once hasten to draw back to the right of the lands the persons owed, or else let them know that henceforth, through the connivance of their silence, they have lost the faculty of reclaiming.<a 380 on the day before the Ides of March at Aquileia, after the consulship of Ausonius and Olybrius.>
Lotas in posterum sericoblattae et metaxae huiusmodi species inferri praecipimus : viginti librarum auri condemnatione proposita his, qui scrinium canonum tractant, prioribus etiam cuiuscumque officii, si statuta caelestia a quodam passi fuerint temerari. * arcad. honor.
We order that henceforth washed kinds of sericoblattum and metaxa of this sort be imported: with a condemnation of 20 pounds of gold set forth for those who handle the bureau of the canons, and also for the chiefs of any office, if they shall have allowed the divine statutes to be violated by anyone. * arcad. honor.
Ab illis autem, qui rebus eorum videntur inhiasse, quos in sua origine permanere et sollemnibus ministeriis inservire manifestum est, omnia quaecumque constiterit ex quocumque titulo possessa antiquis possessoribus restituantur.<a 424 d.Xvii k.Nov.Constantinopoli voctore cons.>
But from those who seem to have coveted their property—who are manifest to have remained in their origin and to be serving the solemn ministries—let all things, whatever shall have been established to have been possessed under whatever title, be restored to the former possessors.<a 424 day 17 before the Kalends of November at Constantinople, Voctor consul.>
Quod si alienigenae detentatores oneribus condicionis externae maluerint subiacere quam restituere facultates, et futura deinceps agnoscant munia sibi esse subeunda et de praeterito, si qua ipsis possidentibus reliqua colliguntur, a semet ipsis sciant sine aliqua excusatione solvenda.<a 424 d.Xvii k.Nov.Constantinopoli voctore cons.>
But if foreign detainers would prefer to be subject to the burdens of an external condition rather than to restore the properties, then let them acknowledge that the duties for the future henceforth are to be undergone by themselves; and as to what is past, if any arrears are collected while they themselves are in possession, let them know that they must be paid by themselves without any excuse.<a 424 d.17 k.Nov.Constantinopoli voctore cons.>
Si quis ex corpore gynaeciariorum vel linteariorum vel linyphariorum monetariorumve aut murilegulorum vel aliorum similium ad divinas largitiones nexu sanguinis pertinentium voluerit posthac de suo collegio liberari, non quoscumque nec facile in locum proprium, freti dextrae triumphalis absolutione, substituant, sed eos, quos omnibus idoneos modis sub ipsis quodammodo amplissimae tuae sedis obtutibus approbaverint: ita tamen, ut is, qui ab huiusmodi condicione iuxta formam caelitus datam beneficio principali fuerit absolutus, universi generis sui prosapiam in functione memorati corporis permanentem cum omnibus eius qui absolvitur rebus obnoxiam largitionibus sacris futuram esse non dubitet. * theodos. et valentin.
If anyone from the body of the gynaeceum-workers or linen-workers or linypharii, or the moneyers, or the mousers, or others of a similar sort, belonging to the Sacred Largesses by a bond of blood, should hereafter wish to be freed from his own college, let them not, relying on the absolution of the triumphal right hand, substitute just anyone, nor easily, into his proper place, but only those whom by every suitable method they shall have approved, as it were under the very gaze of your most ample seat itself: provided, however, that he who shall have been absolved from a condition of this kind, according to the heaven-sent form, by the principal benefaction, should not doubt that the whole stock of his lineage, remaining in the function of the aforesaid body, together with all the property of the one absolved, will be liable to the sacred largesses. * theodosius and valentinian.
Privatae vel linteae vestis magistri, thesaurorum praepositi vel baphiorum ac textrinorum procuratores ceterique, quibus huiusmodi sollicitudo committitur, non ante ad rem sacri aerarii procurandam permittantur accedere, quam satisdationibus dignis eorum administratio roboretur: scituri nec prosecutorias quidem sacras posthac sibimet postulandas. * theodos. et valentin.
Masters of the private or linen wardrobe, the overseers of the treasuries, and the procurators of the dye-works and the weaving-shops, and the rest to whom solicitude of this kind is committed, are not to be permitted to approach the business of managing the Sacred Treasury before their administration is reinforced by worthy sureties: knowing that hereafter not even sacred prosecutoriae are to be requested for themselves. * Theodosius and Valentinian.
Vellera adulterino colore fucata in speciem sacri muricis tingere non sinimus nec tinctum cum rhodino prius sericum alio postea colore fucari, cum de albo omnium colorum tingendi copia non negetur: nam capitalem poenam illicita temptantes suscipient. * theodos. arcad.
We do not permit fleeces stained with an adulterine color to be dyed into the appearance of the sacred murex, nor that silk, previously dyed with rhodine, be later colored with another color, since from white the liberty of dyeing all colors is not denied: for those attempting illicit things will incur capital punishment. * theodosius, arcadius.
Proferantur ex aedibus tradanturque tunicae et pallia ex omni parte texturae cruore infecta conchylii. nulla stamina subtextantur tincta conchylio, nec eiusdem infectionis arguto pectine solidanda fila decurrant. reddenda aerario holovera vestimenta virilia protinus offerantur.<a 424 d.Xvii k.Febr.Constantinopoli victore vc.Cons.>
Let tunics and cloaks stained with the blood of the murex in every part of the fabric’s weave be brought forth from the premises and handed over. Let no warps be interwoven dyed with murex-purple, nor let threads, to be compacted by the ringing reed, run with a dyeing of the same kind. The holovera men’s garments, due to the Treasury, shall be offered at once.<a 424 d.Xvii k.Febr.Constantinopoli victore vc.Cons.>
Purpurae nundinas, licet innumeris sint constitutionibus prohibitae, recenti quoque interminatione vetamus. et ideo septimum de scrinio exceptorum, sextum de scrinio canonum, quintum de scrinio tabulariorum ad baphia phoenices per certum tempus mitti praecipimus, ut fraus omnis eorum prohibeatur sollertia timentium, ne quaesitis longo sudore stipendiis careant: etiam viginti librarum auri condemnatione proposita. * theodos.
We forbid the markets for purple, although they have been prohibited by innumerable constitutions, also by a recent threatening interdiction. And therefore we command that the seventh from the scrinium of the Exceptores, the sixth from the scrinium of the Canons, the fifth from the scrinium of the Tabularii be sent to the baphia (dye-works) of the Phoenicians for a fixed time, so that every fraud of theirs may be prevented by the diligence of those who fear lest they be deprived of stipends sought by long sweat: with even a condemnation of twenty pounds of gold set forth. * theodosius.
Omnibus fabricis non pecunias pro speciebus, sed ipsas species sine dilatione inferri praecipimus, ut venae nobilis et quae facile deducatur ignibus seu liquescat ferri materies praebeatur, quo promptius adempta fraudibus facultate commodo publico consulatur. * valentin. theodos.
We command that in all workshops not monies in place of goods, but the goods themselves be delivered without delay, so that ore of a noble vein and iron material which is easily reduced by fires or melts may be supplied, whereby, the opportunity for fraud having been removed, the public convenience may the more readily be provided for. * Valentinian, Theodosius.
Stigmata, hoc est nota publica fabricensium brachiis ad imitationem tironum infligatur, ut hoc modo saltem possint latitantes agnosci ( his, qui eos susceperint vel eorum liberos, sine dubio fabricae vindicandis) et qui subreptione quadam declinandi operis ad publicae cuiuslibet sacramenta militiae transierunt. * arcad. et honor.
Stigmata, that is, a public mark, is to be inflicted on the arms of the fabrica‑workers in imitation of recruits, so that in this way at least those hiding may be recognized ( his, who shall have taken them in, or their children, without doubt to be claimed by the fabrica) and those who by a certain surreption, to avoid the work, have gone over to the sacrament (oath) of any public military service. * Arcadius and Honorius.
Si quis consortium fabricensium crediderit eligendum, in ea urbe, qua natus est vel in qua domicilium collocavit, his quorum interest convocatis primitus acta conficiat, sese doceat non avo non patre curiali progenitum, nihil ordini civitatis debere, nulli se civico muneri obnoxium, atque ita demum gestis confectis vel apud moderatorem provinciae vel si is absit apud defensorem civitatis, ad militiam quam optaverit suscipiatur. * honor. et theodos.
If anyone believes that he should be enrolled in the consortium of the Fabricenses, in the city in which he was born or in which he has established his domicile, with those whom it concerns first convened, let him draw up the acts; let him show that he was begotten from neither a curial grandfather nor a curial father, that he owes nothing to the order of the city, that he is subject to no civic munus; and only then, with the proceedings completed either before the moderator of the province or, if he is absent, before the defensor of the city, let him be taken into the service which he has chosen. * Honorius and Theodosius.
Quod si absque hac cautione quispiam ad fabricensium consortium obrepserit, sciat se ad ordinis cui debetur patriaque suae munera esse reducendum, ita ut nulla eum nec temporis nec stipendiorum praerogativa defendat.<a 412 d.Xv k.Iun.Constantinopoli honorio viiii et theodosio v aa.Conss.>
But if anyone without this surety should creep into the consortium of the fabricenses, let him know that he is to be brought back to the order to which he belongs and to the munera of his own patria, such that no prerogative either of time or of stipends shall defend him.<a 412 May 18 at Constantinople, in the consulship of Honorius 9 and Theodosius 5, Augusti.>
Eos, qui inter fabricenses sacrae fabricae sociati sunt, vel eorum uxores aut filios, qui itidem inter fabricenses militare dicuntur, non alibi pulsare volentibus respondere praecipimus, nisi in iudicio tuae sublimitatis, ad cuius iurisdictionem potestatemque pertinent: nec eos post stipendiorum finem militiae super civilibus vel curialibus muneribus, quibus nullo modo subiacere monstrantur, a viris clarissimis rectoribus provinciarum vel eorum officiis praeter licitum inquietari. * leo et anthem. aa. euphemio mag.
We command that those who are associated among the fabricenses of the sacred factory, or their wives or sons who likewise are said to do military service among the fabricenses, are to answer those wishing to sue them nowhere else, except in the court of your Sublimity, to whose jurisdiction and power they pertain: nor, after the end of their pay and service, are they to be disturbed, contrary to what is lawful, by the most illustrious governors of the provinces or by their offices, concerning civil or curial duties, to which they are shown in no way to be subject. * leo and anthemius, augusti, to euphemius, magister.
Nullus fabricensium conductioni vel administrationi vel agriculturae alienarum rerum se posthac immiscere conetur: dominis quidem, si qui contra haec statuta meae pietatis venire ausi fuerint, res vel praedia, quae scientes quod fabricenses sunt isdem fabricensibus ministranda commiserint, amissuris, fabricensibus vero gravissime coercitis post facultatum suarum amissionem perpetua exilii poena et animadversione retinendis. * leo et anthem. aa. euphemio mag.
Let none of the fabricenses henceforth attempt to meddle in the leasing, administration, or agriculture of others’ property: as for the owners, if any shall have dared to come against these statutes of my piety, they shall forfeit the goods or estates which, knowing that they are fabricenses, they have entrusted to those same fabricenses to be administered; while the fabricenses themselves, being most severely constrained, after the loss of their means, are to be held under the penalty of perpetual exile and punitive animadversion. * leo and anthemius, augusti, to euphemius, master.
Quotiens sane in translatione armorum angariae necessariae fuerint, sublimitas tua litteras ad eminentissimam iubeat dirigi praefecturam et numerum ei armorum et ex quo loco transferenda sunt indicare, ut continuo super praebendis angariis pro numero eorum quae transferuntur armorum praeceptione sua viros clarissimos provinciae moderatores conveniat, ut secundum missam a sublimitate tua notitiam naves vel angariae confestim de publico praebeantur.<a xxx >
Whenever indeed, in the transfer of arms, angariae shall be necessary, let your Sublimity order letters to be directed to the most eminent Prefecture and indicate to it the number of the arms and from what place they are to be transferred, so that immediately, concerning the provision of angariae in proportion to the number of the arms that are being transferred, by its own precept it may convene the most illustrious governors of the province, so that, according to the notice sent by your Sublimity, ships or angariae may forthwith be furnished from the public.<a xxx >
Quod si aliqua tarditas vel neglegentia post datas a sublimitate tua ad eminentissimam praefecturam litteras in destinandis auctoritatibus amplissimae sedis intercesserit et ex hoc armorum transvectio fuerit impedita, quinquaginta libris auri tam numerarium pro tempore officii eiusdem amplissimae sedis quam alios quorum interest condemnari praecipimus eamque auri quantitatem protinus exactam fisci viribus adgregari: multa praeterea triginta librarum auri proposita tam viris clarissimis qui provincias regunt quam eorum apparitionibus, si coniventibus his armorum subvectio tarditate aliqua fuerit praepedita.<a xxx >
But if any slowness or negligence, after letters have been issued by your Sublimity to the most eminent Prefecture, shall have intervened in dispatching the authorizations of the most ample seat, and from this the transport of arms shall have been impeded, we order that both the numerarius then holding office in that same most ample seat and the others whom it concerns be condemned to fifty pounds of gold, and that that quantity of gold, once exacted at once, be added to the resources of the fisc: moreover, a penalty of thirty pounds of gold is set both for the most illustrious men who govern the provinces and for their apparitors, if, with these conniving, the conveyance of arms shall have been hindered by any tardiness.<a xxx >
Solidos veterum principum veneratione formatos ita tradi ac suscipi ab ementibus et distrahentibus iubemus, ut nihil omnino refragationis oriatur, modo ut debiti ponderis sint et speciei probae: scituris universis, qui aliter fecerint, haud leviter in se vindicandum. * valentin. et valens aa. germano pp. *<a xxx >
We order that solidi, minted in veneration of former princes, be thus tendered and received by buyers and sellers, so that no objection whatsoever may arise, provided that they are of the due weight and of approved fineness: let all know that those who shall have done otherwise will not lightly have punishment exacted upon themselves. * valentinian and valens, augusti, to germanus, praetorian prefect. *<a xxx >
Universos auctoritas tua proposito edicto commoneat obryziacorum omnium solidorum uniforme pretium postulare, scilicet capitali supplicio puniendo, qui vel iussa nostrae maiestatis avaritiae caecitate contempserit, vel aeternales vultus, dum fraudibus studet, duxerit viliores. * grat. valentin.
Let your authority, by a posted edict, admonish all to demand a uniform price for all obryziac solidi, namely, by punishing with capital punishment whoever either, in the blindness of avarice, has contemned the commands of our majesty, or, while he is devoted to frauds, has deemed the eternal portraits to be of lesser worth. * Gratian and Valentinian.
Nulli prorsus liceat in frenis et equestribus sellis vel in balteis suis margaritas et smaragdos et hyacinthos aptare posthac vel inserere. aliis autem gemmis frena et equestres sellas et balteos suos privatos exornare permittimus. de curcumis vero omnem prorsus qualiumcumque gemmarum habitum praecipimus submoveri.
let absolutely no one be allowed henceforth to fit or insert pearls and smaragds (emeralds) and hyacinths in bridles and equestrian saddles or on their belts. but we permit private persons to adorn their bridles and equestrian saddles and their own belts with other gems. as for the curcumae (saffron-dyed horse-cloths), we order that every appearance of gems of whatever kind be entirely removed.
Nulli praeterea privatorum liceat ( exceptis scilicet ornamentis matronalibus et tam muliebrium quam virilium anulorum habitu) aliquid ex auro et gemmis quod ad cultum et ornatum imperatorium pertinet facere neque illud sub hoc colore et praetextu praeparare, quod velit clementiae principali velut aliquod munus offerre: pietas enim mea huiusmodi dona non expetit neque regium sibi offerri a privatis cultum requirit.<a xxx >
Let it not be permitted to any of the private persons, moreover ( excepting, to wit, matronal ornaments and the fashion of rings both women’s and men’s) to make anything out of gold and gems which pertains to imperial cultus and ornament, nor to prepare it under this color and pretext, that he should wish to offer it to the princely clemency as some gift: for my piety does not seek gifts of this kind, nor does it require that royal cult be offered to itself by private persons.<a xxx >
Sane si quis posthac aliquid contra vetitum huiusmodi sanctionis effecerit et offerenda clementiae meae ornamenta, quae usibus regiis deputata sunt, gemmis auroque decorata ausus fuerit praeparare, centum librarum auri condemnatione sciat se esse feriendum, capitali quoque subdendum esse supplicio: ornamenta enim regia intra aulam meam fieri a palatinis artificibus debent, non passim in privatis domibus vel officiis parari.<a xxx >
Indeed, if anyone hereafter shall have done anything against the prohibition of a sanction of this kind and shall have dared to prepare, as offerings to my clemency, ornaments which are assigned to regal uses, adorned with gems and gold, let him know that he is to be punished with a condemnation of one hundred pounds of gold, and that he is also to be subjected to capital punishment: for regal ornaments ought to be made within my palace by palatine craftsmen, not prepared indiscriminately in private houses or workshops.<a xxx >
Classem seleucenam aliasque universas ad officium, quod magnitudini tuae obsequitur, volumus pertinere, ut classicorum numerus ex incensitis vel adcrescentibus compleatur et seleucena ad auxilium purgandi orontis aliasque necessitates orientis comiti deputetur. * valentin. et valens aa. auxonio pp. *<a 369 data indictione xii>
We wish the Seleucena fleet and all the others to belong to the officium which renders service to your Magnitude, so that the number of the classici may be completed from the uncensused or from those accruing, and that the Seleucena be assigned to the Count of the East for the aid of cleansing the Orontes and for other necessities of the East. * Valentinian and Valens, Augusti, to Auxonius, Praetorian Prefect. *<a 369 given, indiction 12>
Singulos itaque iudices scire volumus, ne quis huic collegio iniuriis corporalibus temptet notam atterere neque ab his commodis, quae rationibus approbantur, audeat sperare. huic enim collegio volumus antiquam privilegiorum praerogativam servari.<a 404 d.Viii id.Iul.Romae honorio a.Vi et aristaeneto conss.>
We wish, therefore, each individual judge to know, that no one should attempt by bodily injuries to impair the mark/repute of this college, nor dare to hope for any share from those benefits which are approved by the accounts. For we wish the ancient prerogative of privileges to be preserved for this college.<a 404 on the 8th day before the Ides of July, at rome, in the consulship of honorius for the 6th time and aristaenetus, consuls.>
Cura autem rectorum provinciarum corporati urbis romae, qui in peregrina transgressi sunt, redire cogantur, ut servire possint functionibus, quas imposuit antiqua sollemnitas.<a 391 d.Prid.Id.Iul.Aquileiae tatiano et symmacho conss.>
Moreover, let it be the concern of the governors of the provinces that the corporati of the City of Rome who have crossed into foreign parts be compelled to return, so that they may be able to serve the functions which ancient solemnity has imposed.<a 391 given the day before the ides of july at aquileia, tatianus and symmachus, consuls.>
Quicumque ex mancipibus comitis horreorum dignitatem et officium vel ambitione vel gratia vel pecunia seu quolibet alio modo posthac fuerit adsecutus, exutus dignitate, quam contra interdictum nostrae serenitatis adeptus est, multatus etiam viginti libris auri ad mancipum denuo consortium collegiumque revocetur. * leo a. viviano pp. *<a 457-465 >
Whoever from the contractors of the Count of the Granaries shall hereafter have attained the dignity and the office by ambition or by favor or by money, or by any other way, let him—stripped of the dignity which he acquired contrary to the interdict of Our Serenity, and also fined twenty pounds of gold—be called back to the fellowship and collegium of the contractors. * Leo Augustus to Viviano, Praetorian Prefect. *<a 457-465 >
Qui sub praetextu decanorum seu collegiatorum, cum id munus non impleant, aliis se muneribus conantur subtrahere, eorum fraudibus credidimus obviandum, ne quis sub specie muneris, quod minus exsequitur, alterius muneris oneribus relevetur, ne argentariorum vel nummulariorum munera declinentur ab his, qui dici tantum collegiati vel decani festinant. * theodos. et valentin.
Those who, under the pretext of being deans or collegiates, while they do not fulfill that duty, try to withdraw themselves from other duties—we have judged that their frauds must be countered, lest anyone, under the guise of a duty which he less executes, be relieved from the burdens of another duty; and lest the duties of the argentarii (bankers) or nummularii (money‑changers) be shirked by those who are eager only to be called collegiates or deans. * theodos. et valentin.
Ideoque si quis eorum sub nudae appellationis velamine collegiatum se seu decanum appellat, sciat pro se alium subrogandum, qui praedicto muneri sufficiens approbatur, subrogatione videlicet memoratorum vel eorum qui moriuntur primatum eius qui subrogatur admisso iudicio.<a 439 d.X k.April.Theodosio xvii et festo conss.>
And therefore, if any of them, under the veil of a bare appellation, calls himself a collegiatus or a decanus, let him know that another is to be subrogated in his place, who is approved as sufficient for the aforesaid office, namely by subrogation of the aforementioned or of those who die, the primacy of the one who is subrogated being admitted by judgment.<a 439 d.X k.April.Theodosius 17 and Festus, consuls.>
Quod autem supra numerum, qui encautis brevibus continetur, nemo se quolibet patrocinio vel cuiuslibet adsumpta potentia debeat excusare, hoc nostrae est serenitatis censere, tuae sublimitatis tuique officii cautius observare.<a 439 d.X k.April.Theodosio xvii et festo conss.>
But as to anything beyond the number which is contained in the recorded briefs, let no one be allowed to excuse himself by any patronage or by the assumed power of anyone; this it is for our Serenity to decree, and for your Sublimity and your office to observe more cautiously.<a 439 on the 10th day before the Kalends of April.Theodosius for the 17th time and Festus, consuls.>
Hoc inter omnes aequa lance servari praecipimus, nullo divinae domus patrocinio, nullo sacrosanctarum ecclesiarum reverentia, nullo qualibet vel cuiuslibet se potentia excusante.<a 439 d.X k.April.Theodosio xvii et festo conss.>
We order that this be kept among all with an even balance, with no patronage of the divine house, with no reverence of the sacrosanct churches, with no one excusing himself by any power whatsoever or by the power of anyone.<a 439, on the 10th day before the Kalends of April. Theodosius 17 and Festus, consuls.>
Sed ne tantum circa munera relevanda supplicibus consuluisse noscamur, illud etiam dicendum observandumque esse censemus, ut chartae venditio, quae de provinciis ad corporatos supplicum per innovationem translata est, primae constitutionis terminis concludatur, hoc est, quod initio dispositionis constitutum est, id in posterum nulla addita novatione servetur.<a 439 d.X k.April.Theodosio xvii et festo conss.>
But lest we be known to have taken counsel only about relieving suppliants with respect to public burdens, we judge that this also must be said and observed: that the sale of papers, which by an innovation has been transferred from the provinces to the corporati of the suppliants, be confined within the limits of the first constitution—that is, that what was established at the beginning of the arrangement be observed hereafter with no novation added.<a 439 d.X k.April.Theodosio 17 et festo conss.>
Universos, qui usurpantes sibi nomina magistrorum in publicis magistrationibus cellulisque collectos undecumque discipulos circumferre consuerunt, ab ostentatione vulgari praecipimus amoveri, ita ut, si qui eorum post emissos divinae sanctionis adfatus quae prohibemus atque damnamus iterum forte temptaverit, non solum eius quam meretur infamiae notam subeat, verum etiam pellendum se ex ipsa ubi versatur illicite urbe cognoscat. * theodos. a. et valentin.
We command that all who, usurping to themselves the names of masters, have been accustomed in public magisterial positions and in little cells to parade about pupils collected from wherever, be removed from vulgar ostentation; so that, if any of them, after the utterances of the divine sanction have been issued, should perchance attempt again the things which we forbid and condemn, he shall not only undergo the mark of infamy which he deserves, but also let him know that he is to be expelled from the very city in which he unlawfully operates. * theodosius the augustus and valentinian.
Illos vero, qui intra plurimorum domus eadem exercere privatim studia consueverunt, si ipsis tantummodo discipulis vacare maluerint, quos intra parietes domesticos docent, nulla huiusmodi interminatione prohibemus: sin autem ex eorum numero fuerint, qui videntur intra capitolii auditorium constituti, ii omnibus modis privatarum aedium studia sibi interdicta esse cognoscant, scituri, quod, si adversus caelestia statuta facientes fuerint deprehensi, nihil penitus ex illis privilegiis consequantur, quae his, qui in capitolio tantum docere praecepti sunt, merito deferuntur.<a 425 d.Iii j.Mart.Constantinopoli theodosio a.Xi et valentiniano conss.>
But as for those who have been accustomed to practice the same studies privately within the houses of many persons, if they would prefer to devote themselves only to those pupils whom they teach within household walls, we do not forbid them by any prohibition of this kind; but if they are of the number who appear to be appointed within the auditorium of the Capitol, let them understand that in every way the conduct of studies in private dwellings is interdicted to them, knowing that, if they are caught acting against the imperial statutes, they will obtain nothing at all from those privileges which are deservedly conferred upon those who are directed to teach only in the Capitol. <in the year 425, on the 3rd day before the Ides of March, at Constantinople, in the consulship of Theodosius for the 11th time and Valentinian, consuls.>
Habeat igitur auditorium specialiter nostrum in his primum, quos romanae eloquentiae doctrina commendat, oratores quidem tres numero, decem vero grammaticos: in his etiam, qui facundia graecitatis pollere noscuntur, quinque numero sint sophistae et grammatici aeque decem.<a 425 d.Iii j.Mart.Constantinopoli theodosio a.Xi et valentiniano conss.>
Let our auditorium therefore have, in particular, among these first, those whom the teaching of Roman eloquence commends: three orators in number, and ten grammarians; among those also who are known to excel in the facundity of Greek, let there be five sophists in number and likewise ten grammarians.<a 425 d.3 j.Mart.Constantinopoli theodosio a.11 et valentiniano conss.>
Unum igitur adiungi ceteris volumus, qui philosophiae arcana rimetur, duo quoque , qui iuris ac legum voluntates pandant, ita ut unicuique loca specialiter deputata adsignari faciat tua sublimitas, ne discipuli sibi invicem possint obstrepere vel magistri, neve linguarum confusio permixta vel vocum aures quorundam aut mentes a studio litterarum avertat.<a 425 d.Iii j.Mart.Constantinopoli theodosio a.Xi et valentiniano conss.>
Therefore we wish that one be added to the others, who may scrutinize the arcana of philosophy, and two also , who may expound the intents of law and of statutes, in such a way that Your Sublimity may cause places specially deputed to be assigned to each, lest students or teachers be able to drown one another out, and lest the mixed confusion of tongues or of voices turn the ears or the minds of certain persons away from the study of letters.<a 425, on March 13, at Constantinople, Theodosius, consul for the 11th time, and Valentinian, consuls.>
Nautici apud praesidum vel magistratuum acta confiteantur incorruptas species suscepisse, eorumque, apud quos deponitur ista testatio, praesens adspectus probet nihil in his esse vitii. quod eo tempore, quo ad sacrae urbis portum pervenit , praefecturam iugiter observare praeceptum est. * valentin.
Let the seamen confess in the records of the governors or magistrates that they have received the commodities (species) uncorrupted, and let the present inspection by those with whom this attestation is deposited prove that there is no defect in them; which the prefecture is commanded to observe continually at that time when it arrives at the port of the sacred city , * Valentinian.
Neminem patimur in mutando canone urbis romae nostrae clementiae beneficium postulare: sed etiam ea rescripta, quae quoquo modo potuerint impetrari, suscipi non sinimus. eos vero, qui contra haec fecerint, in duplum retinendos esse decernimus. * arcad.
We allow no one, in changing the canon of the City of Rome, to request the benefit of our clemency; but we do not permit even those rescripts which may by whatever means have been obtained to be received. Those, however, who have acted against these things, we decree are to be held liable in double. * arcad.
Vicarios quin etiam ceterosque iudices, nisi deinceps ab usurpatione urbicarii canonis abstineant, deportationis poena detineri, primates officiorum capitali supplicio subiugari perpetua auctoritate sancimus.<a 399 d.Prid.Non.Sept.Altino theodoro vc.Cons.>
We further sanction by perpetual authority that the Vicars and even the other judges, unless henceforth they abstain from the usurpation of the urbicarian canon, are to be held by the penalty of deportation, and the primates of the offices are to be subjected to capital punishment.<a 399, given on the day before the Nones of September, at Altinum, in the consulship of Theodorus, V.C.>
Nulli, ne divinae quidem domui nostrae frumentum de horreis publicis pro annona penitus praebeatur, sed integer canon mancipibus consignetur, annona in pane cocto domibus exhibenda. ita enim debet canon ab inclitae memoriae constantino praestitus nec non a divo pietatis meae avo theodosio auctus expendi, quoniam crescit inopia, si frumenta, quae pro annona tribuuntur, ad usus alios deputata cogentur sibi de publico emere, quae aliis vendere potuissent. * honor.
Let grain from the public granaries not at all be furnished for the annona to anyone—not even to our divine household—but let the entire canon be consigned to the contractors (mancipes), the annona to be furnished to households in baked bread. For thus ought the canon, granted by Constantine of renowned memory and also increased by the deified grandfather of my piety, Theodosius, to be expended, since scarcity grows if the grains which are allotted for the annona, having been assigned to other uses, are forced to buy for themselves from the public that which they could have sold to others. * Honorius.
Auri statuta quantitas ad coemptionem frumentariam sit perpetuo dedicata, nec liceat cuiquam postea administratione urbicariae potestatis percepta aliquid ex eadem summa minuere vel ad quoscumque alios usus convertere: sed sub gestorum testificatione certum fiat, et quod mancipibus mutui nomine datum est et quod ab isdem sit excepta omni concussione solvendum. * theodos. et valentin.
Let the fixed quantity of gold be perpetually dedicated to the frumentary coemption, and let it not be lawful for anyone, once the administration of the urbicarian power has been received, to diminish anything from the same sum or to convert it to any other uses whatsoever; rather, under attestation of the gesta let it be made certain both what has been given to the mancipes in the name of a loan and what must be paid by these same men, with all extortion excluded. * Theodosius and Valentinian.
Eum autem, qui hanc formam ausus fuerit inquinare, quantitatem, in qua suam calliditatem exercuerit, in duplum redhibere iubemus, et quidquid ex praedicta ratione adcreverit, ad cumulum eiusdem auri quantitatis et frumentarii tituli fomitem redundare, legisque huius tenorem aeneis tabulis incidi.<a 434 d. v k. dec. constantinopoli areobindo et aspare conss.>
But as for the one who shall have dared to pollute this form, we order him to restore in double the quantity in which he has exercised his callidity, and whatever shall have accrued from the aforesaid reckoning is to redound to the accumulation of the same quantity of gold and to the support of the frumentary title, and that the tenor of this law be engraved on bronze tablets.<year 434, day 5 before the kalends of december, at constantinople, in the consulship of areobindus and aspar.>
Ideoque nihil ex his scholarum nomine vindicetur, sed pro uniuscuiusque merito quae sunt concessa serventur, ut, quicumque perceptarum annonarum emolumenta vel in heredes proprios iure sanguinis transfuderunt vel in extraneos distractionis titulo transscripserunt, maneat, quod gestum est vel hereditatis merito vel alienationis arbitrio.<a 392 d. vii k. iul. constantinopoli arcadio a. ii et rufino conss.>
And therefore let nothing of these be claimed under the name of the Scholae, but let the things that have been granted be kept according to each person’s merit, so that, whoever has transferred the emoluments of the annona received either to their own heirs by the right of blood or has transcribed them to outsiders under the title of alienation, what has been done shall remain either by the merit of inheritance or by the decision of alienation.<a year 392, on the 7th day before the Kalends of July, at Constantinople, Arcadius Augustus for the 2nd time and Rufinus, consuls.>
Centum viginti quinque modios frumenti praeter solitum canonem per singulos dies de praesenti sexta indictione ex die kalendarum ianuariarum nomine parapeteumatis de horreis publicis huius almae urbis insita nostrae pietatis liberalitate tribuimus, datis sacris apicibus ad sublimissimam quoque per orientem praefecturam, quibus possit et modum nostrae donationis agnoscere et incunctanter praebere quae iussimus. * theodos. arcad.
One hundred twenty-five modii of grain, in addition to the usual canon, for each day, from the present sixth indiction, from the day of the Kalends of January, under the name of parapeteumata, from the public granaries of this nurturing city, we grant by the liberality inherent in our piety, sacred letters also having been issued to the most sublime prefecture throughout the East, by which it may both recognize the measure of our donation and unhesitatingly provide what we have ordered. * Theodosius, Arcadius.
Cunctis adfatim, quos in publicum quaestum incerta mendicitas vocabit, inspectis exploretur in singulis et integritas corporum et robur annorum, atque inertibus et absque ulla debilitate miserandis necessitas inferatur, ut eorum quidem, quos tenet condicio servilis, proditor studiosus et diligens dominium consequatur, eorum vero, quos natalium sola libertas prosequatur, colonatu perpetuo fulciatur, quisquis huiusmodi lenitudinem prodiderit ac probaverit: salva dominis actione in eos, qui vel latebram forte fugitivis vel mendicitatis subeundae consilium praestiterunt. * grat. valentin.
Let all, who an uncertain mendicancy will summon to the public trade, be duly inspected, and in each let both the integrity of their bodies and the vigor of their years be explored; and upon those who are inert and pitiable without any debility let necessity be imposed, so that, of those whom the servile condition holds, the zealous and diligent informer may obtain dominion, while of those whom the mere liberty of birth attends, he shall be buttressed with a perpetual colonate—whoever shall have disclosed and proved such lenity—saving to masters their action against those who have provided either a hiding-place for fugitives or counsel for undertaking mendicancy. * Gratian, Valentinian.
Qui navem tiberinam habere fuerit ostensus, onus rei publicae necessarium agnoscat. quaecumque igitur navigia in alveo tiberis inveniuntur, competentibus et solitis obsequiis mancipentur, ita ut nullius dignitas aut privilegium ab hoc officio vindicetur. * valentin.
He who shall have been shown to have a Tiberine ship, let him acknowledge the necessary burden of the commonwealth. therefore whatever vessels are found in the channel of the Tiber shall be consigned to the appropriate and customary services, such that no one’s rank or privilege is claimed from this duty. * valentin.
Atque ut curialibus praedae auferatur occasio, iubemus eos ad huiusmodi sollicitudinem adfectandam numquam accedere, sed designata officia tuis provisionibus examinata sollicitudinem praedictam implere.<a 412 d. v k. febr. constantinopoli honorio viiii et theodosio v aa. conss.>
And that the opportunity for plunder be taken away from the curials, we order them never to approach aiming at a solicitude of this kind, but that the designated offices, once examined by your provisions, should fulfill the aforesaid solicitude.<a 412 d. 5 k. febr. constantinople honorius 9 and theodosius 5, augusti, consuls.>
Diurnos centum et decem modios alimoniis alexandrinae civitatis addi decernimus, ut nemo privetur eo, quod nunc usque percepit, et perissochoregiae nomen penitus amputetur et tesserae designentur et nostrae pietatis nomine censeantur. * theodos. et valentin.
We decree that one hundred and ten modii per day be added to the alimentary provisions of the Alexandrian city, so that no one be deprived of that which up to now he has received, and that the name perissochoregia be utterly amputated and that tesserae be designated and be accounted under the name of our piety. * theodosius and valentinian.
Corporatos civitatis alexandrinae repurgandi fluminis onere liberamus et pro tenore et dispositione tua quadringentos solidos ex dinummio vectigali memoratae civitatis praecommodari decernimus, ita ut ex titulo navium omnibus modis repensetur. * theodos. et valentin.
We release the corporati of the city of Alexandria from the burden of cleansing the river, and, according to your tenor and disposition, we decree that four hundred solidi be pre-advanced from the dinummium tax of the aforesaid city, so that it be repaid in every way from the title of ships. * theodosius and valentinian.
An res publica, in cuius locum vos successistis eo, quod satisfecisse debito proponitis, ius pignoris in eo fundo habeat, apud suum iudicem quaeritur. si enim neque beneficio sibi concesso id ius nacta est neque specialiter in obligatione pignoris sibi prospexit, causa eius non separatur a ceteris creditoribus, qui habent personalem actionem. * ant.
Whether the commonwealth, into whose place you have succeeded, has a right of pledge in that estate on the ground that you allege you have satisfied the debt, is to be inquired before its own judge. For if it has acquired that right neither by a benefit conceded to it nor by specially providing for itself a pledge in the obligation, its case is not separated from the other creditors, who have a personal action. * ant.
Contra eos, qui rem publicam administrantes per officii necessitatem sub condicione relicti fideicommissi satis accipere debuerunt, quanti rei publicae interest satis non esse acceptum, dirigendam actionem perspicitis. * diocl. et maxim.
Against those who, administering the State, by necessity of office ought to have taken security under the condition of a bequeathed fideicommissum, you perceive that an action must be directed, assessed by how much it is of interest to the State that security was not taken. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Si sine ulla condicione praedia vendente re publica comparasti, perfecta venditione nulla ratione vereris, ne adiectione facta auferri tibi dominium possit. tempora enim adiectionibus praestituta ad causas fisci pertinent, nisi si qua civitas propriam legem habeat. * sev.
If you have acquired estates with the state as seller without any condition, with the sale perfected you have no reason at all to fear that, if an addition is made, dominion (ownership) could be taken from you. For the times prescribed for additions pertain to the claims of the fisc, unless some city has its own law. * sev.
Si qua hereditatis vel legati seu fideicommissi aut donationis titulo domus aut annonae civiles aut quaelibet aedificia vel mancipia ad ius inclitae urbis vel alterius cuiuslibet civitatis pervenerunt sive pervenerint, super his licebit civitatibus venditionis pro suo commodo inire contractum, ut summa pretii exinde collecta ad renovanda sive restauranda publica moenia dispensata proficiat. * leo a. erythrio pp. *<a 469 d. v k. mart. marciano et zenone conss.>
If by the title of inheritance or legacy or fideicommissum or donation, houses or civil grain-rations or any edifices or slaves have come or shall come to the right of the famed city or of any other city whatsoever, concerning these it shall be permitted to the cities to enter a contract of sale for their own benefit, so that the sum of the price collected therefrom may, being disbursed, profit for the renewing or restoring of the public walls. * leo a. to erythrius pp. *<a 469 d. 5 k. march. marcian and zeno consuls.>
Indefessa vero cura prospicientes, ne quis adversus commoda civitatum quicquam moliri possit incommodum, sed sine ulla fraude seu nundinatione vel colludio seu coniventia huiusmodi venditiones procedant, hoc in posterum observandum esse censemus, ut, si quidem ad hanc inclitam urbem domum vel civiles annonas aut alia quaelibet aedificia aut mancipia pertinentia contigerit venumdari, non aliter nisi imperiali auctoritate vendantur.<a 469 d. v k. mart. marciano et zenone conss.>
Indeed, with indefatigable care looking ahead, lest anyone be able to contrive any incommodity against the advantages of the cities, but that without any fraud or nundination (huckstering) or collusion or connivance sales of this sort may proceed, we judge this to be observed henceforth: that, if indeed it should happen that for this renowned city houses or civic annonae, or any other buildings whatsoever or slaves belonging thereto, are to be sold, they are to be sold not otherwise than by imperial authority.<a 469 d. v k. mart. marciano et zenone conss.>
In provinciis vero praesentibus omnibus seu plurima parte tam curialium quam honoratorum et possessorum civitatis, ad quam res pertinent praedictae, propositis sacrosanctis scripturis singillatim unumquemque eorum qui convenerint iubemus sententiam quam putent utilem patriae suae designare, ut ita demum decreti recitatione in provinciali iudicio interveniente emptor competentem possit habere cautelam.<a 469 d. v k. mart. marciano et zenone conss.>
In the provinces, however, with all, or the greater part, of both the curials and the honorati and the possessores of the city to which the aforesaid matters pertain being present, after the sacrosanct writings have been posted, we order that, severally, each one of those who have assembled designate the opinion which they think useful to their fatherland, so that only then, with the recitation of the decree intervening in the provincial court, the purchaser may be able to have a competent safeguard.<a 469 d. v k. mart. marciano et zenone conss.>
Apud eos, quos superstites integris facultatibus esse pervideris vel quorum heredes incolumia retinent patrimonia, sortes rei publicae perseverare debebunt, ita tamen, ut annuas usuras suis quibusque temporibus exsolvant, cum simul et rei publicae utile sit retinere idoneos debitores et ipsis commodum cumulum debiti minime nutriri. * constant. a. verino suo salutem.
Among those whom you shall have perceived to survive with intact means, or whose heirs retain their patrimonies unharmed, the principal sums owed to the republic must continue in force; provided, however, that they pay the annual interest at their respective times, since at once it is useful for the republic to retain suitable debtors and advantageous for them that the accumulation of debt be in no way nourished. * constantine augustus, greetings to his verinus.
Et quia nefas est obnoxiis corporibus alienatis circumscribi civitates, placuit, si qui debitor rei publicae civitatis quippiam ex eo patrimonio, quod habuit, cum pecuniam rei publicae sumeret, donaverit vel distraxerit vel qualibet in alium ratione contulerit, qualitate rei alienatae perspecta atque omnibus debitoris facultatibus consideratis, quas habuit, cum ei pecunia crederetur, pro rata ab eo, qui ex debitoris facultatibus aliquid detinet, ex sorte atque usuris postulari.<a 314 pp.Iii k.Febr.Volusiano et anniano conss.>
And because it is unlawful that cities be overreached by alienations made by liable persons, it has been decided that, if any debtor of the city’s commonwealth has given, or sold, or in any manner transferred to another anything from that patrimony which he had when he took money from the commonwealth, once the quality of the alienated thing has been examined and all the debtor’s faculties considered—which he had when the money was lent to him—there may be demanded, pro rata, from the one who detains anything from the debtor’s assets, both the principal and the interest.<a 314 3 days before the Kalends of February, Volusianus and Annianus, consuls.>
Itaque quotiens minus idoneum deprehenditur eius patrimonium, cuius nomen civitati alicui invenitur obnoxium, iudex omni diligentiae sollicitudine debebit inquirere, ad quos ex qualibet condicione transierint debitoris facultates, ut singuli aequa aestimatione habita pro rata rerum quas possident conveniantur, personalem actionem contra eum habituri debitorem, qui ipsis solventibus liberatur.<a 314 pp.Iii k.Febr.Volusiano et anniano conss.>
Therefore, whenever the patrimony of one whose name is found liable to some city is discovered to be less adequate, the judge, with every diligence and solicitude, must inquire to whom, under whatever condition, the debtor’s faculties have passed, so that individuals, an equitable estimation having been had, may be convened pro rata for the things they possess, they to have a personal action against that debtor, who is freed by their making payment.<a 314 pp.Iii k.Febr.Volusiano et anniano conss.>
Quod si quispiam debitor rei publicae civitatis fisco nostro locum fecerit, emptores, qui ex fisco nostro comparaverint, manifestum est secundum ius vetus et rescripta divorum constitutionesque nostras nullam debere molestiam sustinere.<a 314 pp.Iii k.Febr.Volusiano et anniano conss.>
But if any debtor of the commonwealth of a city has yielded to our fisc, the purchasers who have acquired from our fisc are manifestly, according to the old law and the rescripts of the deified emperors and our constitutions, not to have to endure any trouble.<a 314, 3 Kalends of February, Volusianus and Annianus, consuls.>
Quod si quis debitor non comparaverit vel certe ita omnia sua consumpserit, ut nemo aliquam rem ex eius bonis possideat, id debitum convenit ad dispendium rei publicae pertinere. ideoque cura patris civitatis apud idoneos vel dominos rusticorum praediorum pecunia collocanda est.<a 314 pp.Iii k.Febr.Volusiano et anniano conss.>
But if any debtor does not appear, or indeed has so consumed all his own property that no one possesses any thing from his goods, it is agreed that that debt pertains to the loss of the commonwealth. And so, under the care of the father of the city, the money must be placed with suitable persons or the owners of rural estates.<a 314 pp.3 k.Febr. Volusianus and Annianus, consuls.>
Hi, qui a te collegaque tuo magistratus creati sunt, etiamsi maxime fideiussores non exegistis, tamen si per id temporis quo magistratus honor deponebatur solvendo fuerunt, periculo vos creationis non fecerunt obnoxios ex eo, quod casu aliquo patrimonium eorum mutilatum sit, cum cessationi suae id debeant imputare damnaque rei publicae, si qua ob culpam eorum passa est, sarcire, qui, cum nomine publico eos convenire potuissent, id facere supersederunt. * gord. a. severino.
Those who were created magistrates by you and your colleague, even if you did not most strictly exact fidejussors (sureties), nevertheless, if at the time when the magistrate’s honor was being laid down they were solvent, did not render you liable to the peril of the creation from the fact that by some chance their patrimony has been mutilated; since they ought to impute this to their own cessation and to make good the damages of the commonwealth, if any it has suffered on account of their culpa, they who, although they could have proceeded against them in the public name, refrained from doing so. * GORDIAN AUGUSTUS to Severinus.
Si successoris tui successor non idoneum loco suo magistratum denominavit, administrationis eius periculum ad personam tuam spectare nequaquam potest. etenim nominati successoris dumtaxat quisque periculum suscipere compellitur nec ad nominatoris nominatorem manus iure porrigi possunt. * gord.
If the successor of your successor has nominated a magistrate not suitable for his place, the peril of his administration can by no means concern your person. For indeed each person is compelled to assume peril only of the named successor, nor can hands in law be stretched out to the nominator’s nominator. * Gordianus.
Quotiens duobus non separatim, sed pro indiviso munus iniungitur, et ita, ut unusquisque eorum periculo soliditatis videatur obstrictus, manus ad nominatorem, priusquam utrique qui id munus administraverunt sollemniter fuerint excussi, nulla ratione possunt porrigi. * gord. a. valenti.
Whenever a duty is imposed upon two not separately but for the undivided whole, and in such a way that each of them appears bound under the peril of solidary liability (in solidum), hands can by no means be extended against the nominator before both who administered that duty have been formally excussed. * Gordian the Augustus to Valens.
Si vero separatis portionibus ad munus nominati sunt, prius pro portione conveniantur qui administraverint, item fideiussores eorum: si nec ab his quidem indemnitas fuerit servata, tunc demum creatorem ac, si nec is quidem sufficiat, novissime participem muneris conveniri debere praeses non ignoret.<a xxx >
If indeed, with portions separated, they have been named to the munus, those who have administered should first be sued according to their portion, likewise their sureties: if indemnity has not been preserved even by these, then at last the creator (appointing authority), and, if even he is not sufficient, finally the participant in the munus should be sued—the governor should not be unaware of this.<a xxx >
Si ita duumviri creati estis, ut mutuo periculo teneamini, in dubium non venit vicariis damnis vos esse obstrictos, cum in magistratibus prius nominatores conveniendos esse ( hoc quod in persona vestra custodiri considerastis) constitutum est. * carus carinus et numer. aaa.
If you have been created as duumvirs in such a way that you are held by mutual peril, there is no doubt that you are obligated for vicarious damages, since in magistracies it has been established that the nominators must first be convened ( this which you considered should be kept in your own case ). * Carus, Carinus, and Numerian, Augusti.
Cum te et collegam tuum magistratus vestri tempore publicum fenus collocasse proponas nec potuisse debitum a quibusdam rei publicae restitui, cum paratus sis pro te id quod solus gessisti satis rei publicae facere, consequens est rem publicam, si separati actus vestri fuerint, contra successores collegae tui vel rerum eius possessores prius ob personam eius progredi et, si solida indemnitas rei publicae servata non fuerit, nominatores eius interpellare ac postremo loco, si quid ex nomine collegae tui defuerit, ob culpae nexum te interpellare. priores nominatores enim veluti fideiussores placuit obstringi. * diocl.
since you allege that you and your colleague, in the time of your magistracy, placed out a public loan, and that the debt could not be restored to the commonwealth by certain persons, since you are prepared, on your own behalf, to make satisfaction to the commonwealth for that which you alone transacted, it follows that the commonwealth, if your acts were separate, shall first proceed, on account of his person, against the successors of your colleague or the possessors of his goods; and, if full indemnity of the commonwealth shall not have been maintained, it shall interpellate his nominators; and, in the last place, if anything shall be lacking under the name of your colleague, it shall interpellate you by reason of the bond of fault. for it has been decided that prior nominators are bound as if sureties. * diocl.
Cum ad munus exhibendarum angariarum cum aliis creatus a consortibus muneris sollicitudine deserta solum te functum esse proponas, sumptuum detrimenta, si qua acciderunt, collatione eorum, quos munus oportuit participare, provisione praesidis dividentur. qui si etiam a te obsequium derelictum esse cognoverit, quid censurae publicae congruit, non ignoret. * diocl.
When, having been appointed to the duty of furnishing angariae together with others, you allege that, the solicitude of your fellow-participants in the duty having been abandoned, you alone have performed it, the losses of expenses, if any have occurred, shall be apportioned, by a contribution from those whom it was proper to share the duty, by the governor’s provision. He, if he also learns that compliance has been abandoned by you, should not be ignorant of what accords with public censure. * diocl.
Non invidemus, sed potius cohortamur amplectenda felicis populi studia, gymnici ut agonis spectacula reformentur. verumtamen cum primates viri populi studiis ac voluptatibus grati esse cupiant, promptius permittimus, ut integra sit voluptas , quae volentium celebretur impensis. * valens grat.
We do not envy, but rather we exhort that the pursuits of a happy people be embraced, that the spectacles of the gymnic agon be restored. nonetheless, since the foremost men wish to be pleasing to the people's pursuits and pleasures, we more readily permit that the enjoyment be entire , which may be celebrated at the expense of those willing. * valens grat.
Si qua in publicis porticibus vel in his civitatum locis, in quibus nostrae solent imagines consecrari, pictura pantomimum veste humili et rugosis sinibus agitatorem aut vilem offerat histrionem, ilico revellatur neque umquam posthac liceat in loco honesto inhonestas adnotare personas. * theodos. arcad.
If any painting in the public porticoes, or in those places of the cities in which our images are wont to be consecrated, should display a pantomime in humble dress and with wrinkled folds, or a charioteer, or a base actor, let it be torn down immediately; nor shall it ever hereafter be permitted to depict dishonorable persons in an honorable place. * Theodosius, Arcadius.
Nemo iudicum ex quamcumque civitate in aliud oppidum vel ex provinciae solo equos curules aurigas bestias histriones cives temptet traducere, ne, dum popularibus plausibus intemperanter serviunt, et publicarum rerum statum fatigent et festivitatem impediant in cunctis oppidis celebrandam: ita ut, si quis hanc violaverit iussionem, poena teneatur ea, quae legum violatores persequitur. * honor. et theodos.
Let no one of the judges, from whatever city, attempt to transfer into another town, or from the soil of a province, chariot-horses, charioteers, beasts, actors, or citizens, lest, while they intemperately serve popular applauses, they both fatigue the state of public affairs and impede the festivity to be celebrated in all towns: so that, if anyone shall have violated this order, he shall be held by that penalty which pursues violators of the laws. * honor. and theodos.
Igitur tali placet eos indignatione subduci, ne potestatis iure frui valeant neve quid eis ita possit adquiri. sed ancillis filiabusque, si velint, conductisve pro paupertate personis, quas sors damnavit humilior, episcoporum liceat, iudicum etiam defensorumque implorato suffragio omni miseriarum necessitate absolvi, ita ut, si insistendum eis lenones esse crediderint vel peccandi ingerant necessitatem invitis, non amittant solum eam quam habuerant potestatem, sed proscripti poenae mancipentur exilii metallis addicendi publicis: quae minor poena est, quam si praecepto lenonis cogatur quispiam coitionis sordes ferre, quas nolit.<a 428 d.Xi k.Mai.Felice et tauro conss.>
Therefore it pleases that they be subjected to such indignation, so that they may not be able to enjoy the right of power, nor can anything in that way be able to be acquired for them. But let it be permitted for maidservants and daughters, if they wish, and for persons hired on account of poverty, whom a humbler lot has condemned, with the aid of bishops invoked, and also of judges and defenders, to be absolved from every necessity of miseries, such that, if the pimps should think they must press upon them or impose upon the unwilling the necessity of sinning, they shall not only lose the power which they had, but, being proscribed, be handed over to the punishment of exile, to be assigned to the public mines: which is a lesser punishment than if, by the command of a pimp, anyone is compelled to bear the filth of coition which they do not wish.<a 428 day 11 before the Kalends of May. Felix and Taurus, consuls.>
Cum praesidem provinciae impensas, quae in certaminis editione erogabantur, ad refectionem murorum transtulisse dicas, et quod salubriter derivatum est non revocabitur et sollemne certaminis spectaculum post restitutam murorum fabricam iuxta veteris consuetudinis legem celebrabitur. * diocl. et maxim.
Since you say that the governor of the province has transferred the expenses which were being disbursed for the staging of the contest to the repair of the walls, what has been beneficially diverted will not be recalled, and the solemn spectacle of the contest, after the structure of the walls has been restored, will be celebrated according to the law of ancient custom. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Possessores, per quorum fines formarum meatus transeunt, ab extraordinariis oneribus volumus esse immunes, ut eorum opera aquarum ductus sordibus oppleti mundentur, nec ad aliud superindictae rei onus isdem possessoribus attinendis, ne circa res alias occupati repurgium formarum facere non occurrant. * const. a. ad maximilianum consularem aquarum.
We wish the possessors, through whose boundaries the channels of the conduits pass, to be immune from extraordinary burdens, so that by their labor the aqueducts, clogged with filth, may be cleansed; nor are the same possessors to be made liable to any other burden of the matter imposed in addition, lest, occupied with other affairs, they should fail to perform the cleansing of the conduits. * constitution of the Augustus to Maximilianus, the consular official of the waters.
Praeterea scire eos oportet, per quorum praedia aquaeductus commeat, ut dextra laevaque de ipsis formis quindecim pedibus intermissis arbores habeant: observante officio iudicis, ut, si quo tempore pullulaverint, excidantur, ne earum radices fabricam formae corrumpant.<a 330 d.Xv k.Iun.Gallicano et symmacho conss.>
Moreover, those through whose estates the aqueduct passes must know that, on the right and on the left, with 15 feet left between from the very conduits, they may have trees; the office of the judge seeing to it that, if at any time they have sprouted, they be cut down, lest their roots damage the fabric of the conduit.<a 330 d.15 k.Iun.Gallicano and symmacho consuls.>
Si quis de cetero vetiti furoris audacia florentissimae urbis commoda voluerit mutilare aquam ad suum fundum ex aquaeductu publico derivando, sciat eundem fundum fiscalis tituli proscriptione signatum privatis rebus nostris adgregandum. * valentin. theodos.
If anyone henceforth, with the audacity of forbidden frenzy, should wish to mutilate the utilities of the most flourishing city by diverting water from the public aqueduct to his own estate, let him know that that same estate, marked by proscription of the fiscal title, is to be aggregated to our private property. * valentinian, theodosius.
Eos, qui aquae copiam vel olim vel nunc per nostra indulta meruerunt, usum aut ex castellis aut ex ipsis formis iubemus elicere neque earum fistularum quas matrices vocant cursum ac soliditatem attemptare vel ab ipso aquaeductu trahere. * valentin. theodos.
Those who have merited a supply of water either formerly or now through our grants (indults), we order to draw their use either from the reservoirs or from the channels themselves, and not to tamper with the flow and solidity (integrity) of those pipes which they call matrices, nor to draw from the aqueduct itself. * Valentinian, Theodosius.
Quod si quis aliter fecerit, non solum id quod prius iure beneficii fuerat consecutus amittat, verum pro condicione quoque personae severissima poena plectetur.<a 389 d.V k.Sept.Romae.Timasio et promoto conss.>
But if anyone shall have done otherwise, let him not only lose what he had previously obtained by right of the benefice, but also be punished with the most severe penalty according to the condition of the person.<a 389 on the 5th day before the Kalends of September.At Rome.Timasius and Promotus, consuls.>
Usum aquae veterem longoque dominio constitutum singulis civibus manere censemus nec ulla novatione turbari, ita tamen, ut quantitatem singuli, quam veteri licentia percipiunt, more usque in praesentem diem perdurante percipiant: mansura poena in eos, qui ad inrigationes agrorum vel hortorum delicias furtivis aquarum meatibus abutuntur. * arcad. et honor.
We judge that the ancient use of water, established by long dominion, shall remain to individual citizens and be disturbed by no innovation, yet on condition that each shall receive the quantity which by ancient license they receive, the custom enduring down to the present day: a penalty shall abide upon those who, for the irrigation of fields or the delights of gardens, abuse clandestine water-courses. * arcad. et honor.
Si quis per divinam liberalitatem meruerit ius aquae, non viris clarissimis rectoribus provinciarum, sed tuae praecellentissimae sedi caelestes apices intimare debebit: condemnatione contra illum qui preces moderatoribus insinuare conatur quinquaginta librarum auri et contra universos administratores qui rescriptum per subreptionem elicitum suscipere moliuntur proponenda, apparitoribus nihilo minus eorundem virorum clarissimorum provinciae moderatorum animadversionibus pro vigore tui culminis subiugandis: et amplissima tua sede dispositura, quid in publicis thermis, quid in nympheis pro abundantia civium convenit deputari, quid his personis, quibus nostra perennitas indulsit, ex aqua superflua debeat impertiri. * theodos. et valentin.
If anyone, by divine liberality, should have merited a right of water, he ought to intimate the celestial directives not to the most illustrious men, the governors of the provinces, but to your most pre-eminent seat: a condemnation is to be proposed of fifty pounds of gold against him who tries to insinuate petitions to the governors, and likewise against all the administrators who attempt to receive a rescript elicited by subreption; their apparitors, nonetheless, are to be subjected to the punishments of those same most illustrious governors of the provinces, according to the vigor of your high office: and your most ample seat shall dispose what it is fitting to assign in the public baths, what in the nymphaea for the abundance of the citizens, and what ought to be imparted from the superfluous water to those persons to whom our Perpetuity has indulged. * Theodosius and Valentinian.
Omnis servitus aquarum aquaeductus hadriani sive domorum sive possessionum sive suburbanorum sive balneorum vel per divinos adfatus intimatos in quolibet iudicio vel per usurpationem impertitos penitus exprobretur: maluimus etenim praedictum aquaeductum nostri palatii publicarum thermarum ac nymphaeorum commoditatibus inservire. et decernimus hanc dispositionem modis omnibus in posterum servari , nemini licentia tribuenda ab eodem aquaeductu precibus oblatis usum aquae petere vel eum audere perforare: scientibus his, qui qualibet ratione putaverint ad huiusmodi molimen accedere, vel officio, si ausum fuerit instruere vel minus instructis precibus parere, centena pondo auri multae nomine fiscalibus rationibus se esse illaturos. * theodos.
Let every servitude of waters upon the Hadrian aqueduct—whether of houses or of estates or of suburban properties or of baths—either granted through divine rescripts intimated in any court, or imparted through usurpation, be utterly repudiated: for we have preferred that the aforesaid aqueduct serve the conveniences of our palace, of the public thermae, and of the nymphaea. And we decree that this arrangement be observed in every way hereafter, no license being granted to anyone to seek, by petitions presented, the use of water from the same aqueduct, or to dare to pierce it: with the understanding that those who by any reasoning shall have thought to approach such an attempt, or the office, if it shall have dared to set it up or to comply with petitions less than duly instructed, will bring upon themselves, under the name of a fine, one hundred pounds of gold into the fiscal accounts. * theodos.
Etenim memoratas fistulas thermis tantum et nymphaeis, quibus eminentia tua deputaverit, volumus inservire: facultate praebenda tuae sublimitatis apparitoribus circumeundi sine formidine domus suburbana balnea ad requirendum, ne qua deceptio vel suppressio vel insidiae contra publicam utilitatem a quoquam penitus attemptetur.<a 440?>
For indeed we want the aforementioned pipes to serve only the baths and the nymphaea to which Your Eminence shall have assigned them: the faculty is to be afforded to the apparitors of Your Sublimity to go around without fear the suburban houses and baths to make inquiry, lest any deception or suppression or treachery against the public utility be at all attempted by anyone.<a 440?>
Ad reparationem aquaeductus huius almae urbis omnia vectigalia, quae colligi possunt ex universis scalis huius inclitae urbis et ex operariis qui cyzicenii dicuntur, ad refectionem eiusdem aquaeductus procedere: illo videlicet observando, ut nemo eorum qui ius aquae possident quamcumque descriptionem sustineat: nam exsecrabile videtur domos huius almae urbis aquam habere venalem. * theodos. et valentin.
For the reparation of the aqueduct of this fostering city, let all the revenues which can be collected from all the landing-stairs of this renowned city and from the workmen who are called Cyzicenians be applied to the restoration of the same aqueduct: with this, namely, being observed, that none of those who possess the right to water should bear any assessment: for it seems execrable that the houses of this fostering city should have water for sale. * theodosius and valentinian.
Hac lege sancimus, ut si quis amplissimam praefecturam gubernans aurum aquaeductui deputatum ad alterum quodlibet opus non aquaeductibus vel aquae publicae competens extruendum vel curandum putaverit convertendum, de suis facultatibus eandem summam aquaeductus titulo repensare cogatur. * zeno a. adamantio pu. *<a xxx >
By this law we sanction that, if anyone governing the most ample Prefecture shall have thought that gold deputed to the aqueduct ought to be converted to any other work to be erected or cared for not competent to aqueducts or to the public water, he shall be compelled to repay from his own resources the same sum under the title of the aqueduct. * zeno a. to adamantius, prefect of the city. *<a xxx >
Diligenter investigari decernimus, qui publici ab initio fontes vel, cum essent ab initio privati, postquam publice usum praebuerunt, ad privatorum usum conversi sunt, sive sacris apicibus per subreptionem impetratis, ac multo amplius si auctoritate illicita nec appetito colore sacri oraculi huiusmodi aliquid pertemptatum fuisse dignoscitur, ut ius suum regiae civitati restituatur et, quod publicum fuerit aliquando, minime sit privatum, sed ad communes usus recurrat: sacris oraculis vel pragmaticis sanctionibus adversus commoditatem urbis quibusdam impertitis iure cassandis nec longi temporis praescriptione ad circumscribenda civitatis iura profutura. * zeno a. sporacio. *<a xxx >
We decree that it be diligently investigated which fountains were public from the beginning, or, when they were private from the beginning, after they furnished public use, have been converted to the use of private persons, whether by sacred letters obtained through surreption, and much more if it is discerned that by illicit authority, without having sought the color of a sacred oracle, something of this kind has been attempted, so that its right be restored to the royal city and that what was at some time public be by no means private, but revert to common uses: sacred oracles or pragmatic sanctions imparted to certain persons against the convenience of the city being by law to be annulled, nor shall a prescription of long time avail to circumscribe the rights of the city. * zeno a. sporacio. *<a xxx >
Scientibus universis, quod in posterum super huiusmodi commissis suburbanum vel praedium vel balneum vel aquae mola vel hortus, ad cuius usum aqua publica fuerit derivata, vel si quid ex his iuxta aquaeductum positum ad eum pertinet, qui plantavit arbores aquaeductibus noxias, ad quemcumque pertineat locum vel hominem vel domum, proscriptionis titulo subiacebit et fisci viribus vindicabitur: nulli super huiusmodi poena nec per sacros apices venia tribuenda.<a xxx >
Let all be aware that in future, concerning offenses of this kind, a suburban estate or farm or bath or water‑mill or garden, for whose use public water has been diverted, or, if anything of these placed next to the aqueduct pertains to him who planted trees noxious to the aqueducts—whatever place or person or house it pertains to—shall be subject under the title of proscription and shall be claimed by the forces of the fisc: to no one shall pardon be granted for a penalty of this kind, not even by sacred rescripts.<a xxx >
Universos autem aquarios vel aquarum custodes, quos hydrophylacas nominant, qui omnium aquaeductuum huius regiae urbis custodiae deputati sunt, singulis manibus eorum felici nomine nostrae pietatis impresso signari decernimus, ut huiusmodi adnotatione manifesti sint omnibus nec a procuratoribus domorum vel quolibet alio ad usus alios avellantur vel angariarum vel operarum nomine teneantur.<a xxx >
Moreover, we decree that all the water-men or guardians of the waters, whom they call hydrophylaces, who are assigned to the custody of all the aqueducts of this royal city, be marked on each of their hands, with the fortunate name of our piety impressed, so that by such an annotation they may be manifest to all and not be torn away by the stewards of houses or by anyone else for other uses, nor be held under the name of angariae or of works.<a xxx >
Quod si quem ex isdem aquariis mori contigerit, eum nihilo minus qui in locum defuncti subrogatur signo eodem notari praecipimus, ut militiae quodammodo sociati excubiis aquae custodiendae incessanter inhaereant nec muneribus aliis occupentur.<a xxx >
But if it should befall that any from these same aquarii die, we nonetheless order that the one who is subrogated in the place of the deceased be marked with the same sign, so that, as in a certain way associated with military service, they may incessantly adhere to the watches for guarding the water and not be occupied with other duties.<a xxx >
Divinam dispositionem ab inclitae recordationis principe theodosio super his, qui aquam sibi de publicis aquaeductibus seu fontibus praeberi desiderant, promulgatam hac etiam lege in sua firmitate durare sancimus, quatenus nemo vel in hac sacratissima civitate vel in provinciis sine divinis apicibus de sacro epistularum scrinio more solito edendis et iudicio tuae celsitudinis vel aliis quorum interest intimatis vel intimandis aquam de publico aquaeductu seu fonte trahere permittatur: his, quicumque nostra iussa violaverint seu violari concesserint, denarum librarum auri condemnatione aliaque gravissima indignatione feriendis. * anastas. a. sergio pp. *<a xxx >
We sanction that the divine disposition promulgated by the prince of illustrious memory Theodosius concerning those who desire to have water provided to themselves from the public aqueducts or fountains shall endure in its own force also by this law, to wit, that no one, either in this most sacred city or in the provinces, shall be permitted to draw water from a public aqueduct or spring without divine rescripts to be issued, in the accustomed manner, from the sacred bureau of letters, and after the judgment of your Highness or of others whom it concerns has been communicated or is to be communicated: and let those, whoever shall have violated our orders or shall have allowed them to be violated, be smitten with a condemnation of ten pounds of gold and with our most grievous indignation. * anastasius augustus to sergius, praetorian prefect. *<a xxx >
Bestias autem, quae ad comitatum ab omnibus limitum ducibus transmittuntur, non plus quam septem diebus intra singulas civitates retineri praecipimus: violatoribus eorum quinas libras auri fisci viribus illaturis.<a 414 d. xiii k. iun. constantio et constante vv. cc. conss.>
But the beasts which are transmitted to the comitatus by all the dukes of the frontiers we order not to be kept within each city for more than seven days: upon the violators of this, five pounds of gold are to be levied for the fisc’s strength. <a 414, dated the 13th day before the Kalends of June, under Constantius and Constans, most illustrious men, consuls.>
Numquam rationibus vel colligendis frugibus insistens agricola ad extraordinaria onera trahatur, cum providentiae sit opportuno tempore his necessitatibus satisfacere. * const. a. ad aemilianum pp. *<a 328 lecta vii id. mai.
Let a farmer who is intent on accounts or on gathering the crops never be dragged to extraordinary burdens, since it is the part of foresight to satisfy these necessities at an opportune time. * the emperor’s constitution to Aemilianus, praetorian prefect. *<a 328 read on the 7th day before the Ides of May.
Qui enim colonos utiles credunt, aut cum praediis eos tenere debent aut profuturos aliis derelinquere, si ipsi sibi praedium prodesse desperant.<a 357 d. iii k. mai. mediolani constantio a. viiii et iuliano c. ii conss.>
For those who deem coloni useful ought either to hold them together with the estates, or, if they despair that the estate will be of use to themselves, to leave them to profit others. <a 357 d. the 3rd day before the Kalends of May, at Milan, in the consulship of Constantius Augustus (9) and Julian Caesar (2).>
Ii, penes quos fundorum dominia sunt, pro his colonis originalibus, quos in locis isdem censitos esse constabit, vel per se vel per actores proprios recepta compulsionis sollicitudine implenda munia functionis agnoscant. * valentin. et valens aa. ad modestum pp. *<a 366 d. k. mai.
Those in whose hands the ownership of the estates is, on behalf of those original coloni who shall be established to have been registered in the same places, shall acknowledge—either by themselves or through their own agents—the duties of the levy to be fulfilled, accepting the solicitude of compulsion. * Valentinian and Valens, Augusti, to Modestus, Praetorian Prefect. *<a 366 d. k. mai.
Sane quibus terrarum erit quantulacumque possessio, qui in suis conscripti locis proprio nomine libris censualibus detinentur, ab huius praecepti communione discernimus: eos enim convenit propriae commissos mediocritati annonarias functiones sub solito exactore cognoscere.<a 366 d. k. mai. constantinopoli gratiano a. et dagalaifo conss.>
Indeed, those who will have whatever small possession of lands, who in their own localities, enrolled under their proper name, are held in the census books, we distinguish from the common application of this precept: for it is fitting that they, committed to their own mediocrity of means, should discharge the annona-ry functions under the usual exactor.<a 366 on the Kalends of May, at Constantinople, Gratian Augustus and Dagalaifus being consuls.>
Omnes omnino fugitivos adscripticios colonos vel inquilinos sine ullo sexus muneris condicionisque discrimine ad antiquos penates, ubi censiti atque educati natique sunt, provinciis praesidentes redire compellant. * valentin. et et valens aa. ad germanicum pp. galliarum.
those presiding over the provinces shall compel all runaway adscripticii, coloni, or inquilini, without any distinction of sex, office, or condition, to return to their ancient household gods, where they were registered in the census and reared and born. * valentinian and valens, the augusti, to germanicus, praetorian prefect of the gauls.
Sed cum soliditas fundorum vel certa portio ad unumquemque perveniat, tanti quoque servi et originarii transeant, quanti apud superiores dominos et possessores vel in soliditate vel in parte manserunt: et emptor pretium quod dederit amissum existimet, nihilo minus venditori ad repetendos servos cum agnatione eorum vindicatione concessa.<a xxx >
But when the entirety of the estates or a certain portion comes to each individual, so many slaves and originarii likewise shall pass as remained with the prior lords and possessors, whether in the entirety or in part; and let the buyer deem the price which he has given to be lost, nonetheless with vindication granted to the seller to recover the slaves together with their agnation.<a xxx > ;
Et si aliqua denique ex causa dissimulaverit legis usurpare beneficium atque iste sub hac taciturnitate decesserit, et heredibus eius et contra heredes emptoris vindicationem damus longi temporis praescriptione submota: mala fide namque possessorem esse nullus ambiget, qui aliquid contra legum interdicta mercatur.<a xxx >
And if, finally, for some cause he has dissimulated making use of the benefit of the law and this man has died under this taciturnity, we grant vindication both to his heirs and against the heirs of the buyer, the long-time prescription set aside: for no one will doubt him to be a possessor in bad faith, who purchases anything contrary to the interdicts of the laws.<a xxx >
Omnes profugi in alieno latebras collocantes cum emolumentis tributariis, salva tamen moderatione, revocentur, scilicet ut si, apud quos homines reperiuntur, alienos esse noverant fugitivos et profugis in lucrum suum usi sunt, hoc est sive excoluerunt agros fructibus dominis profuturos sive aliqua ab isdem sibi iniuncta novaverunt nec mercedem laboris debitam consecuti sunt, ab illis tributa quae publicis perierunt functionibus exigantur. * valentin. valens et grat.
All fugitives placing their hiding-places on another’s property, together with the tax emoluments, nevertheless with moderation preserved, are to be recalled; namely, that if those with whom the persons are found knew the fugitives to belong to another and used the refugees for their own profit— that is, whether they cultivated fields, the fruits of which would profit the masters, or undertook some tasks enjoined by the same, and did not obtain the wage due for the labor— from those persons let the taxes which have been lost to the public functions be exacted. * Valentinian, Valens, and Gratian.
Ceterum si occultato eo profugi, quod alieni esse videntur, quasi sui arbitrii ac liberi apud aliquem se collocaverunt aut excolentes terras partem fructuum pro solo debitam dominis praestiterunt cetera proprio peculio reservantes, vel quibuscumque operis impensis mercedem placitam consecuti sunt, ab ipsis profugis quaecumque debentur exigantur: nam manifestum est privatum iam esse contractum.<a xxx >
Moreover, if, concealing the fact that they seem to be another’s, the fugitives, as though of their own choice and free, have placed themselves with someone, or, cultivating lands, have rendered to the owners the portion of the produce owed for the soil, reserving the rest to their own peculium, or have obtained the agreed wage for whatever works and outlays, let whatever is owed be exacted from the fugitives themselves: for it is manifest that the contract is now private.<a xxx >
Quocirca sublimitas tua huiusmodi census per comanensium et ariarathensium armeniae secundae, amasenorum helenoponti et diocaesarensium cappadociae secundae urbes salubris et temperatae per aequationis modum monumentis publicis iubebit adnecti.<a 386 d.Vi k.April.Constantinopoli honorio et euodio conss.>
Wherefore your Sublimity will order that a census of this kind, by the method of a salutary and well‑tempered equalization, be annexed to the public records through the cities of the Comanenses and Ariarathenses of Armenia Secunda, of the Amaseni of Helenopontus, and of the Diocaesarenses of Cappadocia Secunda.<a year 386 d.6 k.April.Constantinople Honorius and Euodius consuls.>
Servos vel tributarios vel inquilinos apud dominos volumus remanere. nam cum metu damni deterritus unusquisque eum quem incognitum habuerit coeperit propulsare , voluntas fugiendi servis non erit: nemo enim dominum suum deserit sciens nusquam sibi latendi locum esse derelictum. * arcad.
We will that slaves or tributaries or inquilines remain with their masters. for when, deterred by fear of loss, each person begins to drive off him whom he has as unknown , the will to flee will not be in slaves: for no one deserts his master, knowing that nowhere has there been left to him a place for hiding. * arcad.
Definimus, ut inter inquilinos colonosve, quorum quantum ad originem pertinet vindicandam indiscreta eademque paene videtur esse condicio, licet sit discrimen in nomine, suscepti liberi vel utroque vel neutro parente censito statum paternae condicionis agnoscant. * arcad. et honor.
We define that between inquilines or coloni, whose condition, so far as concerns the vindication of origin, seems indistinct and almost the same, although there is a difference in the name, the children born, whether with both parents or with neither parent registered in the census, shall acknowledge the status of the paternal condition. * arcad. et honor.
Illud etiam servandum est, ut, si quando utriusque fundi idem dominus de possessione referta cultoribus ad eam colonos quae laborabat tenuitate transtulerit, idemque fundi ad diversorum iura dominorum qualibet sorte transierint, maneat quidem facta translatio, sed ita, ut praedii eius dominus, a quo coloni probantur fuisse transducti, translatorum agnationem restituat.<a 400 d.Iii id.Iul.Stilichone et aureliano conss.>
It must also be observed that, if ever the same owner of both estates, from a holding filled with cultivators, has transferred coloni to that one which was laboring under scarcity, and the same estates have by whatever chance passed into the rights of different masters, the transfer that was made shall indeed remain; but on this condition: that the owner of that estate from which the coloni are proven to have been conveyed shall restore the agnation of the transferred.<a 400 on the 3rd day before the Ides of July, under the consuls Stilicho and Aurelian.>
Si coloni, quos bona fide quisque possedit, ad alios fugae vitio transeuntes necessitatem condicionis propriae declinare temptaverint, bonae fidei possessori primum oportet celeri reformatione succurri, tunc causam originis et proprietatis agitari. * arcad. et honor.
If coloni, whom anyone has possessed in good faith, passing over to others by the fault of flight, should attempt to evade the necessity of their own condition, it is fitting that the good‑faith possessor be aided first by a swift reinstatement, then that the cause of origin and of ownership be litigated. * Arcadius and Honorius.
Colonos nulla ratione ad ullum quamvis humilioris militiae locum sinimus admitti : sed nec apparitores magisteriae potestatis censibus adscriptos probari concedimus, quia in hac parte et dominorum iuri et publicae consulimus honestati. * theodos. et valentin.
We allow coloni to be admitted on no account to any post of military service, however humble : nor do we permit the apparitors of the magisterial authority, enrolled in the censuses, to be approved, since in this matter we consult both the right of the masters and the public honor. * theodos. et valentin.
Litibus imponentes celeritatem sancimus, si quando coloni cuiuscumque condicionis contra dominos terrae declamaverint super hoc ipso dubitantes, utrum is terrae dominus est nec ne ( eos tamen dicimus, qui non ex longo prolixoque tempore vel longinqua et inveterata redituum susceptione sufficientem habent cautelam, in quibus casibus ne contradicendi quidem licentia colonis relinquitur, longi temporis praescriptione vel redituum frequentissima consequentia colonorum impetus excludente): talem esse super redituum vel publicarum functionum praestatione formam censemus, ut, si tales coloni, quales supra diximus, idoneum fideiussorem totius summae quae ab his dependitur praestiterint, quod omnes reditus sine ulla procrastinatione, si melior causa dominorum iudicetur, eis restituent, et talis fideiussor per triennium accipiatur eoque impleto iterum renovetur, coloni in medio nullo modo super reditibus a dominis inquietentur. * iust. a. demostheni pp. *<a 529 recitata septimo in novo consistorio palatii iustiniani.D.Decio vc.Cons.
Imposing speed upon lawsuits, we sanction that, whenever coloni of whatever condition shall have brought suit against the lords of the land, doubting on this very point whether he is the lord of the land or not (yet we mean those cases in which they do not have sufficient safeguard from a long and very extended time or from a far-off and inveterate receipt of revenues; in which cases not even the license of contradicting is left to the coloni, the prescription of long time or the very frequent consequence of revenues excluding the assaults of the coloni): we judge the form to be this concerning the payment of revenues or of public functions, that, if such coloni as we have said above shall have provided a suitable surety for the whole sum which is payable by them, to the effect that all revenues, without any procrastination, if the better cause of the lords is adjudged, will be restored to them, and that such a surety shall be accepted for three years and, when this is completed, be renewed again, the coloni in the meantime shall in no way be disturbed by the lords concerning the revenues. * Justinian Augustus to Demosthenes, Praetorian Prefect. *<a 529 recited on the seventh in the new consistorium of the Palace of Justinian. D. Decius, most distinguished man, consul.
Sin autem hoc coloni minime facere voluerint vel potuerint, tunc idem reditus per officium iudicis annui exigantur per solita tempora, in quae etiam dominis dependebantur, et deponantur in aede sacra, id est in cimeliarchio civitatis, sub qua possessio sita est, vel si localis ecclesia ad susceptionem pecuniarum idonea non sit, in metropolitana ecclesia, ut remaneant cum omni cautela et post plenissimam definitionem vel dominis dentur vel colonis restituantur.<a 529 recitata septimo in novo consistorio palatii iustiniani.D.Decio vc.Cons. >
But if the coloni should in no way have been willing or able to do this, then the same rents are to be exacted by the office of the annual judge at the customary times at which they were also paid to the lords, and they are to be deposited in the sacred building, that is, in the cimeliarchium of the city under whose jurisdiction the holding is situated; or, if the local church is not suitable for the reception of monies, in the metropolitan church, so that they may remain with all caution and, after the most plenary determination, either be given to the lords or restored to the coloni.<a 529 recited on the seventh in the new consistory of the palace of Justinian. By Decius, a most distinguished man, Consul. >
Sin autem reditus non in auro, sed in speciebus inferuntur, vel in totum vel ex parte, interim per officium iudicis fructus vendantur et pretia eorum secundum praedictum modum deponantur.<a 529 recitata septimo in novo consistorio palatii iustiniani.D.Decio vc.Cons. >
But if the revenues are brought in not in gold, but in kind, either in whole or in part, in the meantime through the office of the judge let the fruits be sold, and their prices be deposited according to the aforesaid manner.<a 529 recitata septimo in novo consistorio palatii iustiniani.D.Decio vc.Cons. >
Haec de reditibus definientes ad publicas transeamus functiones. et si quidem coloni more solito eas dependant, ipsi maneant in pristina consuetudine, nullo praeiudicio dominis generando, qui et quiescentibus colonis et non contradicentibus ad publicum tributarias functiones minime inferebant.<a 529 recitata septimo in novo consistorio palatii iustiniani.D.Decio vc.Cons. >
Having defined these things concerning revenues, let us pass to public functions. And if indeed the coloni pay them in the usual manner, let they themselves remain in their pristine custom, generating no prejudice to the lords, who, with the coloni being quiet and not contradicting, were by no means paying the tributary functions into the public treasury.<a 529 recited on the seventh in the new consistorium of the palace of Justinian. D. Decius, a most distinguished man, consul. >
Sin autem moris erat dominos totam summam accipere et ex ea partem quidem in publicas vetere functiones, partem autem in suos reditus habere, tunc, si quidem fideiussor a colonis detur, eundem fideiussorem dominis sine praeiudicio litis tantam summam inferre, quantam tributa publica faciunt, ut a dominis publicis rationibus persolvatur: nullo ex hoc colonis praeiudicio generando. super reditibus enim domini fideiussore fiant contenti.<a 529 recitata septimo in novo consistorio palatii iustiniani.D.Decio vc.Cons. >
But if it was the custom for the owners to receive the whole sum and from it to have one part for the old public functions, and another part for their own revenues, then, if indeed a surety is provided by the coloni, let the same surety, without prejudice to the litigation, pay in to the owners as great a sum as the public tributes amount to, so that it may be paid by the owners into the public accounts: creating no prejudice to the coloni from this. For as to the revenues, let the owners be content with the surety.<a 529 recited on the seventh in the new consistory of Justinian’s palace. Decius, a most distinguished man, consul. >
Sin autem fideiussione cessante ad sequestrationem res veniat et pecuniae deponantur, ex earum summa tantam iudices separare, quanta ad publicas sufficiat functiones, et eam disponere dominum accipere, quatenus ipse eam persolvens publicas accipiat securitates: reliqua quantitate, quae in reditus puros remanet, in tuto collocanda et litis terminum expectante:<a 529 recitata septimo in novo consistorio palatii iustiniani.D.Decio vc.Cons. >
But if, however, with the suretyship ceasing, the matter comes to sequestration and moneys are deposited, the judges are to separate from their sum so much as suffices for the public functions, and to arrange that the owner receive it, to the extent that he, paying it, may receive public securities; the remaining amount, which remains in pure revenues, is to be placed in safe keeping and to await the termination of the suit:<a 529 recitata septimo in novo consistorio palatii iustiniani.D.Decio vc.Cons. >
Nullo praeiudicio sive colonis sive dominis ex huiusmodi fideiussione vel sequestratione vel publicarum functionum solutione generando: sed omni causa in suspenso manente, donec iudicialis sententia, quae de toto negotio procedit, omnem rem aperiat et ostendat, quis dominus terrae constitutus est et ad quem publicarum functionum securitas debet in posterum fieri, seu reditus vel pervenire vel permanere.<a 529 recitata septimo in novo consistorio palatii iustiniani.D.Decio vc.Cons. >
With no prejudice being generated either for the coloni or for the owners from such suretyship or sequestration or from the payment of public functions: but with the whole cause remaining in suspense, until the judicial sentence, which proceeds concerning the whole business, lays open the whole matter and shows who has been constituted the lord of the land and to whom the security of the public functions ought in future to be made, and to whom the revenues should either come or remain.<a 529 recited on the seventh in the new consistory of the palace of Justinian. D. Decius, a most distinguished man, Consul. >
Ne diutius dubitetur, si quis ex adscripticia et servo vel adscripticio et ancilla fuisset editus, cuius status sit, vel quae peior fortuna sit, utrumne adscripticia an servilis, sancimus ea quidem, quae in anterioribus legibus cauta sunt pro tali progenie, quae ex mulieribus adscripticiis et viris liberis progenita sit, in suo statu relinqui, et sit adscripticia proles ex tali copulatione procreata. * iust. a. ad senatum.
Lest it be doubted any longer, if anyone should have been born from an adscriptitious woman and a slave, or from an adscriptitious man and a female slave, what his status is, or which condition is the worse, whether adscriptitious or servile, we sanction that indeed those things which in earlier laws are provided for such offspring which is begotten from adscriptitious women and free men be left in their status, and that the progeny procreated from such a coupling be adscriptitious. * justinian augustus to the senate.
Si quis autem vel ex servo et adscripticia, vel ancilla et adscripticio fuerit editus, matris suae ventrem sequatur et talis sit condicionis, qualis et genetrix fuit, sive ancilla sive adscripticia: quod hactenus in liberis tantum et servis observabatur. quae etenim differentia inter servos et adscripticios intellegetur, cum uterque in domini sui positus est potestate, et possit servum cum peculio manumittere et adscripticium cum terra suo dominio expellere?<a 530 >
If anyone, however, should be born either from a male slave and an adscripticia, or from a maidservant and an adscripticius, let him follow the womb of his mother and be of such condition as the genetrix was, whether maidservant or adscripticia: which until now was observed only in the case of the free and the slaves. For what difference indeed will be understood between slaves and adscripticii, since each is placed in the power of his master, and he can manumit a slave with his peculium and expel an adscripticius with the land from his own dominium?<a 530 > ;
Cum scimus nostro iure nullum praeiudicium generari cuidam circa condicionem neque ex confessionibus neque ex scriptura, nisi etiam ex aliis argumentis aliquid accesserit incrementum, sancimus solam conductionem vel aliam quamcumque scripturam ad hoc minime sufficere nec adscripticiam condicionem cuidam inferre, sed debere huiusmodi scripturae aliquid advenire adiutorium, quatenus vel ex publici census adscriptione vel ex aliis legitimis modis talis scriptura adiuvetur. * iust. a. iuliano pp. *<a 531 d.X k...Constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv.Cc.>
since we know in our law that no prejudice is generated to anyone concerning status either from confessions or from a writing, unless some increment has also accrued from other arguments, we sanction that a bare lease (conduction) or any other writing whatsoever is by no means sufficient for this nor to impose an adscripticial condition upon someone, but that some assistance must come to a writing of this sort, inasmuch as such a writing is supported either by an entry of the public census or by other legitimate modes. * justinian augustus to julianus, praetorian prefect. *<a 531 on the 10th day before the kalends of … at constantinople, after the consulate of lampadius and orestes, most distinguished men.>
Sin autem et scriptura et post scripturam confessio seu depositio, sine vi et necessitate tamen, intervenerit ( quid enim, si etiam conductionale instrumentum vel alium chartulam, in qua subscripsit, intimavit et inter acta deposuit sese colonum fuisse adscripticium?), tunc ex utroque genere obligationis, id est tam scripturae quam confessionis vel depositionis, talem eum esse credendum, qualem et scripsit et inter acta deposuit.<a 531 d.X k...Constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv.Cc.>
But if both a writing and, after the writing, a confession or deposition—yet without force or necessity—have intervened (for what, if he even intimated a lease instrument or another little charter, on which he subscribed, and reported and deposited among the acts that he had been an adscriptitious colonus?), then from each kind of obligation, that is, both of the writing and of the confession or deposition, he is to be believed to be such as he both wrote and deposited among the acts.<a 531, on the 10th day before the Kalends ... at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Illud quoque non ineleganter dubitabatur, si coloni filius per triginta annorum curricula vel forsitan quadraginta seu ampliora, adhuc vivente patre et agriculturam peragente, ipse in libera conversatione morabatur, et dominus terrae, quia per patrem ei satisfiebat, non etiam eius praesentiam exigebat, an post obitum patris, vel postquam inutilis is forte existat et ruri non idoneus, potest excusari filius, longinqua libertate abutendo et quod per multos annos neque agrum coluit neque aliquid colonarii operis celebravit, cum non possit dominus incusari propter suam desidiam, cui per patrem eius omne quod voluerat accedebat.<a 531 d.X k...Constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv.Cc.>
That question too was not inelegantly raised: if the son of a colonus, over the courses of 30 years, or perhaps 40 or more, while his father was still living and carrying on the agriculture, himself remained in free conversation (mode of life), and the lord of the land, because he was being satisfied through the father, did not also exact his presence—whether, after the father’s death, or after he perchance has become useless and not fit for the countryside, the son can be excused, taking advantage of long-continued freedom, on the ground that for many years he neither cultivated the field nor performed any colonary work, since the lord cannot be blamed for his own sloth, to whom through the father everything that he wished was accruing.<a 531 on the 10th day before the Kalends of ... at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
In omnibus itaque huiuscemodi speciebus satis acerbum nobis videtur domino praeiudicari colonorum absentia eorum, qui in rure nati et postea absentes per suos vel patres vel fratres vel cognatos agriculturam peragebant. cum enim pars quodammodo corporis eius per cognationem in fundo remanebat, non videtur neque peregrinari neque in libertate morari.<a 531 d.X k...Constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv.Cc.>
In all such species, therefore, it seems to us quite bitter that the lord be prejudiced by the absence of the coloni, who, born in the countryside and afterward absent, were carrying on agriculture through their own—either fathers or brothers or kinsmen. For since a part, in a certain way, of his body remained on the estate through kinship, he does not seem either to peregrinate or to dwell in liberty.<a 531 d.X k...Constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv.Cc.>
Cum satis inhumanum est terram quae ab initio adscripticios habebat suis quodammodo membris defraudari et colonos in aliis terris demorantes dominos terrae maximis damnis adficere, censemus, quemadmodum in curialium condicione nemo ex temporali cursu liberatur, ita nec adscripticiae condicioni suppositus ex annalibus curriculis, quantacumque emanaverint, vel quacumque prolixa negotiatione aliquis sibi vindicet libertatem: sed remaneat adscripticius et inhaereat terrae. et si se celaverit vel separare conatus fuerit, secundum exemplum servi fugitivi sese diutinis insidiis furari intellegatur et sit suppositus una cum subole sua , etsi in alia terra eam fecerit, huiusmodi fortunae et capitali illationi, nulla liberatione ei penitus competente. * iust.
Since it is quite inhumane that the land which from the beginning had adscripticii should be defrauded, as it were, of its own members, and that coloni lingering on other lands should afflict the lords of the soil with very great losses, we decree that, just as in the condition of the curiales no one is freed by the temporal course, so neither shall one subjected to the adscriptitious condition, by the annual courses, however many may have elapsed, or by whatever protracted negotiation, claim liberty for himself: rather let him remain adscript and adhere to the land. And if he has hidden himself or has tried to separate himself, let him, after the example of a fugitive slave, be understood to have stolen himself away by long-continued stratagems, and let him be subjected, together with his offspring , even if he has begotten it on another land, to this kind of fortune and to the capitation levy, with no liberation at all being competent to him. * Justinian.
Cum autem anastasiana lex homines qui per triginta annos colonaria detenti sunt condicione voluit liberos quidem permanere, non autem habere facultatem terra derelicta in alia loca migrare, et ex hoc quaerebatur, si etiam liberi eorum cuiuscumque sexus, licet non triginta annos fecerint in fundis vel vicis, deberent colonariae esse condicionis an tantummodo genitor eorum, qui per triginta annos huiusmodi condicioni illigatus est: sancimus liberos colonorum esse quidem in perpetuum secundum praefatam legem liberos et nulla deteriore condicione praegravari, non autem habere licentiam relicto suo rure in aliud migrare, sed semper terrae inhaereant, quam semel colendam patres eorum susceperunt.<a 531-534 >
But since the Anastasian law willed that men who have been held under the colonate condition for thirty years should indeed remain free, yet not have the faculty, with the land abandoned, to migrate into other places, there arose the question whether even their children, of whatever sex, although they have not completed thirty years on the estates or in the villages, ought to be of the colonate condition, or only their parent who for thirty years has been bound to such a condition. We sanction that the children of the coloni be indeed forever free according to the aforesaid law and be burdened by no worse condition, yet not have license, with their countryside left behind, to migrate elsewhere, but always to adhere to the land which once their fathers undertook to cultivate.<a 531-534 >
Caveant autem possessionum domini, in quibus tales coloni constituti sunt, aliquam innovationem vel violentiam eis inferre. si enim hoc approbatum fuerit et per iudicem pronuntiatum, ipse provinciae moderator, in qua aliquid tale fuerit perpetratum, omnimodo provideat et laesionem, si qua subsecuta est, eis resarcire et veterem consuetudinem in reditibus praestandis eis observare: nulla nec tunc licentia concedenda colonis fundum ubi commorantur relinquere.<a 531-534 >
Let the owners of the estates, in which such coloni have been established, beware of inflicting upon them any innovation or violence. For if this shall have been approved and pronounced by a judge, the governor (moderator) of the province in which anything of this sort has been perpetrated shall in every way provide and make good the injury (if any has ensued) to them, and shall observe the ancient custom in the revenues to be rendered by them: nor even then is any license to be granted to the coloni to leave the estate where they reside.<a 531-534 >
Et hoc tam in ipsis colonis quam in subole eorum qualiscumque sexus vel aetatis sancimus, ut et ipsa semel in fundo nata remaneat in possessione sub isdem modis isdemque condicionibus, sub quibus etiam genitores eius manere in alienis fundis definivimus.<a 531-534 >
And this we sanction both in the coloni themselves and in their progeny of whatever sex or age, that this progeny also, once born on the estate, shall remain in the possession under the same modes and the same conditions, under which we have likewise defined that their parents are to remain on others’ estates.<a 531-534 >
Sed et si bona fide eum susceperit, postea autem reppererit eum alienum esse constitutum, admonente domino vel ipsius adscripticii vel terrae et hoc faciente per se vel per procuratorem suum hunc restituere cum omni peculio et subole sua: et si hoc facere supersederit, omnis quidem temporis, quo apud eum remoratus est, publicas functiones sive terrenas sive animales pro eo inferre compelletur cura et provisione tam eminentissimae praefecturae quam praesidis provinciae: coartetur autem et sic ad restitutionem eius secundum veteres constitutiones et poenas eis insertas.<a 531-534 >
But even if he has received him in good faith, and afterwards has found that he has been determined to belong to another, upon admonition by the lord either of the adscripticius himself or of the land, and this being done by himself or by his procurator, he must restitute this man with all his peculium and his offspring; and if he has refrained from doing this, he shall be compelled, for all the time during which he has lingered with him, to pay the public functions, whether land-based or animal-based, on his behalf, under the care and provision both of the most eminent Prefecture and of the governor of the province; moreover, let him be constrained thus to his restitution according to the ancient constitutions and the penalties inserted in them.<a 531-534 >
Si qui adscripticiae condicionis constituti mulieres liberas quacumque mente aut quacumque machinatione sive scientibus dominis sive ignorantibus sibi uxores coniunxerunt vel postea coniunxerint, in sua libertate permanere tam eas quam prolem quae ex eis cognoscitur procreata sancimus: illo procul dubio observando, ut, si ex libero marito et adscripticia uxore partus fuerit editus, is maternae condicionis maculam, non paternam sequatur libertatem. * iust. a. hermogeni mag.
If any who are constituted in the condition of adscripticii have joined to themselves as wives free women, by whatever intent or by whatever machination, whether their lords knowing or ignorant, or should afterwards so join them, we sanction that both they and the progeny which is known to have been procreated from them remain in their own freedom: with this, beyond doubt, to be observed—that, if from a free husband and an adscripticia wife a child shall have been brought forth, he follow the stain of the maternal condition, not the paternal freedom. * Justinian Augustus to Hermogenes, the Master.
Sed ne adscripticii putent sibi impunitum esse tale conamen, quod maxime verendum est, ne liberarum mulierum nuptiis ab his excogitatis paulatim huiusmodi hominum condicio decrescat, sancimus, si quid tale fuerit ab adscripticio perpetratum, liberam habere potestatem dominum eius sive per se sive per praesidem provinciae talem hominem castigatione moderata corrigere et abstrahere a tali muliere. quod si neglexerit, sciat in suum damnum huiusmodi desidiam reversuram.<a xxx >
But lest the adscripticii think such an attempt is for them without punishment—a thing most to be feared, lest by marriages of free women contrived by them the condition of men of this sort should gradually decrease—we decree that, if anything of this kind shall have been perpetrated by an adscripticius, his master shall have free power, either by himself or through the governor of the province, to correct such a man with moderate castigation and to remove him from such a woman. But if he shall neglect this, let him know that such sloth will revert to his own loss. <a xxx >
Quisquis colonus plus a domino exigitur, quam ante consueverat et quam in anterioribus temporibus exactus est, adeat iudicem, cuius primum poterit habere praesentiam, et facinus comprobet, ut ille, qui convincitur amplius postulare, quam accipere consueverat, hoc facere in posterum prohibeatur, prius reddito quod superexactione perpetrata noscitur extorsisse. * const. a. ad maximum vic.
Whoever a colonus (tenant farmer) has more exacted from him by his lord than he had previously been accustomed, and than was exacted in earlier times, let him approach the judge, whose presence he shall first be able to have, and prove the offense, so that he who is convicted of demanding more than he had been accustomed to receive be prohibited from doing this in the future, with first the return of what he is known to have extorted by a perpetrated superexaction. * const. a. to maximus, vicar.
Cum enim saepissime decretum sit, ne quid de peculio suo cuiquam colonorum ignorante domino praedii aut vendere aut alio modo alienare liceret, quemadmodum contra eius personam aequo poterit consistere iure, quem nec propria quidem leges sui iuris habere voluerunt et adquirendi tantum, non etiam transferendi potestate permissa, domino et adquirere et habere voluerunt?<a xxx >
Since, indeed, it has very often been decreed that none of the coloni be permitted, the lord of the estate being unaware, either to sell or to alienate in any other way anything from his peculium, how can an equal right stand against his person, whom the laws did not wish to be sui iuris even in respect of his own things, and, with only the power of acquiring, not also of transferring, being permitted, they wished both to acquire and to hold for the lord?<a xxx >
Sed ut in causis civilibus huiusmodi hominum generi adversus dominos vel patronos et aditum intercludimus et vocem negamus exceptis superexactionibus, in quibus retro principes facultatem eis super hoc interpellandi praebuerunt, ita in criminum accusatione quae publica est non adimitur eis propter suam suorumque iniuriam experiendi licentia.<a xxx >
But just as in civil causes we shut off access and deny a voice to this class of men against their masters or patrons, except in cases of over-exactions, in which former princes afforded them the faculty of interpellating on this point, so in the accusation of crimes, which is public, the license of instituting proceedings is not taken away from them on account of the injury to themselves and to their own.<a xxx >
Cum per alias provincias, quae subiacent nostrae serenitatis imperio, lex a maioribus constituta colonos quodam aeternitatis iure detineat, ita ut illis non liceat ex his locis quorum fructu relevantur abscedere nec ea deserere quae semel colenda susceperunt, neque id palaestinae provinciae possessoribus suffragetur, sancimus, ut etiam per palaestinas nullus omnino colonorum suo iure velut vagus ac liber exsultet, sed exemplo aliarum provinciarum ita domino fundi teneatur, ut sine poena suscipientis non possit abscedere: addito eo, ut possessionis domino revocandi eius plena tribuatur auctoritas. * valentin. theodos.
Since through other provinces, which lie under the imperium of our Serenity, the law established by the ancestors detains the colonists by a certain right of perpetuity, such that it is not permitted to them to depart from those places by whose fruit they are sustained nor to desert those fields which they once undertook to cultivate, nor shall this be of any support to the possessors of the province of Palestine, we decree that also through the Palestines no one at all of the colonists shall exult in his own right as if vagrant and free, but, after the example of the other provinces, let him be so held to the lord of the farm that he cannot depart without a penalty for the one receiving him: with this added, that full authority be granted to the owner of the holding to recall him. * valentin. theodos.
Et ne forte colonis tributariae sortis nexibus absolutis vagandi et quo libuerit recedendi facultas permissa videatur, ipsi quidem originario iure teneantur, et licet condicione videantur ingenui, servi tamen terrae ipsius cui nati sunt aestimentur nec recedendi quo velint aut permutandi loca habeant facultatem, sed possessor eorum iure utatur et patroni sollicitudine et domini potestate.<a xxx >
And lest, perhaps, when the bonds of the tributary lot have been loosened, there may seem to have been permitted to the coloni the faculty of wandering and of withdrawing wherever they please, let they themselves indeed be held by originary right; and although by condition they may appear freeborn, nevertheless let them be esteemed as serfs of the land itself to which they were born, nor let them have the faculty of departing where they wish or of exchanging their places; but let their possessor exercise the right both with the solicitude of a patron and the power of a master.<a xxx >
Inserviant terris non tributario nexu, sed nomine et titulo colonorum, ita ut, si abscesserint ad aliumve transierint, revocati vinculis poenisque subdantur, maneatque eos poena, qui alienum et incognitum recipiendum esse duxerint, tam in redhibitione operarum et damni, quod locis quae deseruerant factum est, quam multae, cuius modum in auctoritate iudicis collocamus: ita ut etiam dominus fundi , in quo alienus fuisse monstrabitur, pro qualitate peccati coercitionem subire cogatur nec sit ignorantiae locus, cum ad criminis rationem solum illud sufficiat, quod incognitum sibi tenuit.<a 371 d. iii id. iul. gratiano a. ii et probo conss.>
Let them serve the lands not by a tributary bond, but by the name and title of coloni, such that, if they have withdrawn or have passed over to another, when recalled they are subjected to chains and penalties; and let a penalty abide upon those who have deemed that a stranger and unknown person is to be received, both in the restoration of services and of the damage which has been done to the places they had deserted, and in a fine as well, the measure of which we place in the authority of the judge: with the result that even the owner of the fundus , on which it shall be shown that the outsider has been, is compelled to undergo coercion according to the quality of the offense, nor is there room for ignorance, since for the reckoning of the crime this alone suffices, that he kept one unknown to himself.<a 371, on the 3rd day before the Ides of July, Gratian Augustus for the 2nd time and Probus, consuls.>
Si quis post hanc nostri numinis sanctionem in fraudem circumscriptionemque publicae functionis ad patrocinium cuiuscumque confugerit, id, quod huius rei gratia geritur sub praetextu donationis vel venditionis seu conductionis aut cuiuslibet alterius contractus, nullam habeat firmitatem: tabellionibus, qui talia instrumenta perficere ausi fuerint, bonorum proscriptione plectendis, qui tamen scientes ausi fuerint huiusmodi instrumenta conscribere: vicis etiam vel possessionibus ad patrocinia confugientium publico vindicandis. * leo et anthem. aa. nicostrato pp orientis.
If anyone, after this sanction of our divine authority, shall flee for refuge into the patronage of any person in fraud and circumvention of the public function, that which is done for the sake of this matter under the pretext of donation or sale or lease or any other contract shall have no validity: the notaries who shall have dared to complete such instruments are to be punished by proscription of their goods, if they knowingly have dared to draw up instruments of this kind; and the villages or estates of those who flee to patronages are to be claimed for the public. * leo and anthem. emperors, to nicostratus, praetorian prefect of the east.
Eae autem personae, quae contra publicam commoditatem in clientelam suam suscepisse collatores detectae fuerint, nobiliores quidem centum librarum auri condemnationem subire cogentur, mediocris vero fortunae facultatum suarum amissione plectentur: eadem poena multandis etiam his, qui intercedentes ministerium suum huiusmodi nefariis actibus improba mente praebuerint.<a 468 d.K.Sept.Antehmio a.Ii cons.>
Those persons who, contrary to public utility, shall have been detected to have received taxpayers into their clientele, the more noble will be compelled to undergo a condemnation of one hundred pounds of gold, while those of moderate fortune will be punished by the loss of their means: with the same penalty also to be fined are those who, acting as intermediaries, have offered their ministry to such nefarious acts with a depraved mind.<a 468 d.K.Sept.Antehmio a.Ii cons.>
Quam formam ex eo quidem tempore, quod sacra constitutio a divae memoriae marciano promulgata continet, id est in thracica quidem dioecesi abhinc annis triginta, hoc est a consulatu aetii iterum et sigisbuldi, in orientali vero et aegyptiaca et pontica et asiana dioecesi viginti octo, hoc est a consulatu cyri valere atque exsecutioni mandari praecipimus.<a 468 d.K.Sept.Antehmio a.Ii cons.>
We order that this form be valid and committed to execution from that time which the sacred constitution promulgated by Marcian of divine memory contains, that is, in the Thracian diocese thirty years ago, namely from the consulship of Aetius for the second time and Sigisbuldus; but in the Oriental, Egyptian, Pontic, and Asian diocese twenty‑eight years, that is from the consulship of Cyrus.<a 468 d.K.Sept.Antehmio a.Ii cons.>
Si qui eorum, qui provinciarum rectoribus obsequuntur quique in diversis agunt officiis principatus et qui sub quocumque praetextu muneris publici possunt esse terribiles, rusticano cuipiam necessitatem obsequii quasi mancipio sui iuris imponant aut servum eius vel forte bovem in usus proprios necessitatesque converterint, ablatis omnibus facultatibus perpetuo subiugentur exilio, et nihilo minus rusticanum, qui se in eiusdem operas sponte propria detulisse responderit, par poenae severitudo constringat. * valentin. et valens aa. ad probum pp.Illyrici.
If any of those who comply with the governors of the provinces and who act in the diverse offices of the principate, and who under whatever pretext of a public munus can be formidable, should impose upon some peasant the necessity of obedience, as though by mancipium under their own right, or should have converted his slave or perchance his ox to their own uses and necessities, let them, with all means removed, be subjected to perpetual exile; and nonetheless let an equal severity of penalty constrain the peasant who shall have replied that he, by his own free will, delivered himself into the same services. * valentinian and valens, the augusti, to probus, praetorian prefect of illyricum.
In illis, quae metrocomiae communi vocabulo nuncupantur, hoc adiciendum necessario nostra putavit humanitas, ut nulli extraneo illic quoquo modo possidendi licentia tribuatur: sed si quis ex isdem vicanis loca sui iuris alienare voluerit, non licere ei nisi ad habitatorem adscriptum eidem metrocomiae per qualemcumque contractum terrarum suarum dominium possessionemque transferre: sciente persona extranea, quod, si contra vetitum se huic negotio immiscere vel illic possidere temptaverit, quicumque contractus initus fuerit, carebit effectu et contractu soluto, si quid praestitum est, hoc tantum reddetur. * leo et anthem. aa. nicostrato pp. *<a 468 d.K.Sept.Anthemio a.Ii cons.>
In those places which are called by the common appellation “metrocomiae,” our humanity has thought it necessary to add this: that no license of possessing there be granted in any way to any outsider; but if any one of the same villagers should wish to alienate places of his own right, it is not permitted to him, except to transfer, through whatever contract, the ownership and possession of his lands to an inhabitant enrolled in the same metrocomia: the outsider being aware that, if, contrary to the prohibition, he attempts to meddle in this transaction or to possess there, whatever contract shall have been entered will lack effect, and, the contract being undone, if anything has been rendered, only this shall be returned. * leo and anthemius, emperors, to nicostratus, praetorian prefect. *<a 468 A.D., on the Kalends of September, Anthemius in his 2nd consulship.>
Si peraequatore misso aliquis aut procuratorem suum retraxerit aut colonum per contumaciam retractationis fugaverit, ad eum censuum modum, quem vel eo vel procuratore illius absente peraequator apposuerit, nostrae sanctionis auctoritate tenebitur. * grat. valentin.
If, when the assessor has been sent, anyone either has withdrawn his procurator (agent) or has driven a colonus (tenant-farmer) to flight by contumacious retraction, he shall, by the authority of our sanction, be held to that rate of the census (tax) which the assessor shall have imposed, whether he or his procurator is absent. * gratian, valentinian.
Qui gravatos se a peraequatoribus conqueruntur et iniusto oneri impares esse proclamant, competitionis habeant facultatem, ut, quid remissum gratia, quid interceptum fuerit fraude, convincant et ex eo levamen accipiant, quod per deformia et criminosa commercia sibi impositum esse deplorant, ut aliis demeretur. * theodos. arcad.
Those who complain that they are weighed down by the equalizers (tax apportioners) and proclaim that they are unequal to an unjust burden, shall have the faculty of contestation, so that they may prove what was remitted by favor (grace) and what has been intercepted by fraud, and from that may receive relief for that which they lament has been imposed upon themselves through disgraceful and criminal commerce, in order that it might be taken off from others. * Theodosius, Arcadius.
Quod intra annum post codicum oblationem cui videbitur de iniusto onere conqueratur, iniquitatem peraequatoris accuset ac praestitam gratiam habita competitione convincat, ut, quod ei fuerat superfusum, ille cognoscat, quem debitae functioni fraus clandestina subtraxerat.<a 393 d.Iii k.Dec.Constantinopoli theodosio a.Iii et abundantio vc. conss.>
That within a year after the submission of the registers, whoever shall think it good may complain about an unjust burden, accuse the iniquity of the equalizer, and, a contest having been held, prove the favor that was afforded, so that the man whom clandestine fraud had withdrawn from the due function may recognize what had been poured upon him in excess.<a 393 on the 3rd day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, in the consulship of Theodosius for the 3rd time and Abundantius, v.c., consuls.>
Emenso autem eo tempore actio denegabitur, exceptis minoribus qui fuerint indefensi, his etiam qui aberunt rei publicae causa: qui tamen ex eo tempore quae sunt statuta custodient, ex quo ad agendum habuerunt facultatem.<a 393 d.Iii k.Dec.Constantinopoli theodosio a.Iii et abundantio vc. conss.>
But after that period has elapsed, the action will be denied, except for minors who were undefended, and also for those who were absent for the sake of the republic: who, nevertheless, shall observe what has been established from the time from which they had the ability to bring suit.<a 393 on the 3rd day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, Theodosius Augustus 3 and Abundantius, most distinguished man, consuls.>
Peraequatores ac discussores, si incurrerint culpam neglegentiae vel gratiae, non solum honorum iacturam, verum etiam annonarum in quadruplum multam subire debebunt: ea vero, quae in damnum provincialium fuerint accepisse convicti, in quadruplum cogentur exsolvere. * arcad. et honor.
Peraequators and discussors, if they incur the blame of negligence or of favor, must undergo not only the loss of honors, but also a fourfold fine in annonae; moreover, the things which they are convicted to have received to the detriment of the provincials they shall be compelled to pay back fourfold. * Arcadius and Honorius.
Si quis vero privatus aut obligatam sibi possessionem, quae deserta huc usque permansit, aut ex aliquo titulo deberi sibi iure confirmat, adlegationes suas sine mora vel per se vel per aliam personam legibus ordinatam manifestare debebit, ita ut, si aequitatis ratione suadente ad petitorem fuerit translata possessio, is, qui eam a peraequatore susceperit, rei melioratae receptis sublevetur expensis.<a 417 d.Prid.Id.Mart.Ravennae honorio a.Xi et constantio ii conss.>
If, however, any private person either legally establishes that a possession pledged to him, which has remained deserted up to now, or that by some title it is owed to him, he must without delay make his allegations manifest, either in person or through another person duly appointed by the laws, such that, if by the reasoning of equity the possession is transferred to the petitioner, he who has received it from the equalizer (peraequator) shall be relieved, the expenses for the improved thing being reimbursed.<a 417 on the day before the Ides of March at Ravenna, in the consulship of Honorius for the 11th time and of Constantius for the 2nd.>
Verum ne sub specie litis dominationes semel constitutae turbentur, sex mensum spatium censemus debere servari, intra quod is, qui putat sibi rem probabili ratione competere, debitas exserat actiones.<a 417 d.Prid.Id.Mart.Ravennae honorio a.Xi et constantio ii conss.>
But, lest under the pretext of litigation ownerships once established be disturbed, we judge that a period of six months ought to be observed, within which he who thinks that the matter belongs to him on a probable ground should bring the due actions.<a 417 d.Prid.Id.Mart.Ravennae honorio a.11 et constantio 2 conss.>
Quod si quis eo tempore, quo peraequator praedium alicui addicit, de suo iure vel per se vel per homines suos non crediderit actitandum, sex mensum curriculis evolutis in perpetuum conquiescat.<a 417 d.Prid.Id.Mart.Ravennae honorio a.Xi et constantio ii conss.>
But if anyone, at the time when the assessor adjudges a praedium to someone, has not believed that his own right ought to be pursued, either by himself or through his men, let him, the courses of six months having elapsed, rest forever.<a 417 on the day before the Ides of March, at Ravenna, when Honorius Augustus for the 11th time and Constantius for the 2nd time were consuls.>
Cum divus aurelianus parens noster civitatum ordines pro desertis possessionibus iusserit conveniri et pro his fundis, qui invenire dominos non potuerunt quos praeceperamus, earundem possessionum triennii immunitate percepta de sollemnibus satisfacere, servato hoc tenore praecipimus, ut, si constiterit ad suscipiendas easdem possessiones ordines minus idoneos esse, eorundem agrorum onera possessionibus et territoriis dividantur. * const. a. capestrino.
Since the deified Aurelian, our parent, ordered the orders of the cities to be convened on account of deserted possessions and, for those farms for which, as we had directed, they were not able to find owners, that, upon a three-year immunity of those same possessions having been received, they should satisfy the regular solemn dues, with this tenor maintained we prescribe that, if it is established that the orders are less fit to take up those same possessions, the burdens of those fields be divided among the possessions and the territories. * const. to Capestrinus.
Si quis ab emphyteuticario seu patrimoniali possessore privati iuris quippiam comparaverit, cuius substantia alias possessiones sustentare consueverat, et succisis quasi quarundam virium nervis reliqua labuntur, earum possessionum onera subiturus est, quae penes distractores inutiles permanebunt. * const. a. *<a 337 d.Viii id.Dec.Thessalonicae feliciano et titiano conss.>
If anyone has purchased anything from an emphyteuticary or from a patrimonial possessor of private right, whose substance was accustomed to sustain other possessions, and, as if the sinews of certain strengths were cut, the remainder collapse, he will have to undergo the burdens of those possessions, which will remain with the useless alienators. * const. a. *<a 337 on the 8th day before the Ides of December, at Thessalonica; Felicianus and Titianus, consuls.>
Quicumque deserta praedia meruerint sub certa immunitate, ad possessionem impetratorum non prius sinantur accedere, quam vel fideiussoribus idoneis periculo curialium datis vel fundis patrimonii sui maxime utilibus obligatis idonea cautione firmaverunt susceptam a se possessionem nullo detrimento publico relinquendam. * valentin. et valens aa. ad mamertinum pp. *<a 364 d.Vii k.Iun.Dibo ioviano et varroniano conss.>
Whoever shall have merited abandoned estates under a specified immunity shall not be allowed to accede to the possession of what they have obtained before they have established by adequate caution—either with suitable sureties given for the peril of the curiales, or with the farms of their patrimony that are most useful pledged—that the possession undertaken by them is not to be left with any public detriment. * Valentinian and Valens, Augusti, to Mamertinus, Praetorian Prefect. *<a 364 d.7 Kalends of June. Dibo Jovianus and Varronianus consuls.>
Heredes scripti etiam pro minus idoneis fundis fiscale onus cogantur agnoscere, vel si renuntiandum hereditati putent, cedant his omnibus rebus, quas ex isdem bonis quocumque titulo et iure perceperint. * valentin. valens et grat.
Instituted heirs are also to be compelled to acknowledge the fiscal burden even in respect of less suitable estates; or, if they think the inheritance must be renounced, let them cede all those things which from the same goods they have received under whatever title and right. * Valentinian, Valens, and Gratian.
Qui utilia rei publicae loca possident, permixtione facta etiam deserta suscipiant, ut, si earum partium graventur accessu, quas antea per fastidium relinquerunt, cedant aliis curialibus, qui utraque hac condicione retineant, ut praestatione salva cum desertis et culta possideant sublata a paucis, quos iniquum est electa retinere, cum municipes gravatura sit pars relicta. * valens grat. et valentin.
Those who possess places useful to the commonwealth, a commixture having been made, shall also take up the deserted tracts, so that, if they are burdened by the accession of those parts which they previously left through fastidiousness, they may cede to other curiales, who shall retain them under both of these conditions: that, with the impost kept intact, they may possess both the deserted and the cultivated; the burdens lifted from the few, whom it is inequitable to allow to retain the chosen, since the portion left would weigh upon the fellow townsmen. * valens grat. et valentin.
Quod si contra id reluctandum existimaverit, alius possessor sub eadem praestatione quaeratur, vel si voluntarius qui sit conductor non invenietur, tunc ad possessores antiquos, id est decuriones vel quoslibet alios, loca iuris praedicti adiunctis inutilibus revertantur, idoneis fideiussoribus praestitis.<a 383 d.Xv k.Febr.Constantinopoli merobaude ii et saturnino conss.. >
But if he shall have thought that one must resist this, let another possessor be sought under the same prestation; or, if a voluntary conductor (lessee) is not found, then let the places of the aforesaid right revert to the former possessors, that is, to the decurions or to any others, with the useless adjuncts attached, suitable sureties having been furnished.<a 383 Jan. 18, at Constantinople, in the consulship of Merobaudes 2 and Saturninus, consuls.. >
Quicumque defectum fundum patrimonialem exercuerit, fertilem idoneumque praestiterit, salvo patrimoniali canone perpetuo ac privato iure defendat velut domesticum et avita successione quaesitum, sibi habeat, suis relinquat, neque eum aut promulgatione rescripti aut reverentia sacrae adnotationis quisquam a fructu impensi operis excludat. * grat. et valentin.
Whoever shall have worked a patrimonial estate that was in defect and shall have rendered it fertile and suitable, with the perpetual patrimonial canon saved, let him defend it by private right as though domestic and acquired by ancestral succession; let him have it for himself, let him leave it to his own; and let no one exclude him from the fruit of the labor expended either by the promulgation of a rescript or by reverence for a sacred annotation. * grat. and valentin.
Ceterum eos, qui opimas ac fertiles possident terras aut etiam nunc sibi aestimant eligendas, pro defecta scilicet portione summam debiti praesentis iubemus implere: illos etiam, qui emphyteuticario nomine nec ad plenum idoneas nec omnibus modis vacuas detinent, sic ex illis quoque quae praesidio indigent iustam ac debitam quantitatem debere suscipere, ut indulto temporis spatio post biennium decretum canonem solvendum esse meminerint.<a 386 d. viii k. nov. constantinopoli honorio np. et euodio conss.>
Moreover, those who possess fat and fertile lands, or even now deem such to be to be chosen for themselves, we order, namely for the deficient portion, to make up the sum of the present debt; likewise those who, under the name of emphyteuticary, hold lands neither fully suitable nor in every way vacant, must likewise undertake from those also which need protection the just and due quantity, with a span of time granted, so that after a biennium they remember that the decreed canon is to be paid.<a 386 d. viii k. nov. constantinopoli honorio np. et euodio conss.>
Nemo tamen qualibet meriti et potestatis obiectione submoveatur, quominus ad diacatochiae vicem defectas possessiones patrimonialis iuris accipiat, earum tributa et canonem soluturus: illud speciali observatione procurans, ut primum vicinas et in eodem territorio sortiatur, dehinc si neque finitimas neque in isdem locis reppererit constitutas, tunc demum etiam longius positas, sed in quantum fieri valet pro interiecto spatio sibimet cohaerentes pro modo et aequitate suscipiat, ut id consensu omnium fiat, quod omnibus profuturum est.<a 386 d. viii k. nov. constantinopoli honorio np. et euodio conss.>
Nevertheless, let no one be removed by any objection of merit or power from receiving, in lieu of diacatochia, the failed holdings of the patrimonial right, being bound to pay their tributes and canon: taking care with special observation of this—that first he be allotted those that are near and in the same territory; then, if he shall have found neither adjoining ones nor those established in the same places, only then those set farther away as well; but, in so far as it can be done, in view of the intervening space, let him receive them as cohering for himself, according to measure and equity—so that, with the consent of all, that be done which will be advantageous to all.<a 386 d. 8 k. nov. constantinopoli honorio np. et euodio conss.>
Qui agros domino cessante desertos vel longe positos vel in finitimis ad privatum pariter publicumque compendium excolere festinat, voluntati suae nostrum noverit adesse responsum: ita tamen, ut, si vacanti ac destituto solo novus cultor insederit, ac vetus dominus intra biennium eadem ad suum ius voluerit revocare, restitutis primitus quae expensa constiterit facultatem loci proprii consequatur. nam si biennii fuerit tempus emensum, omni possessionis et dominii carebit iure qui siluit. * valentin.
Whoever, with the owner standing aside, hastens to cultivate for private as well as public profit fields that are deserted, whether set far away or in neighboring places, let him know that our response attends his wish: provided, however, that if a new cultivator has settled upon land vacant and abandoned, and the former owner within two years should wish to recall the same to his own right, with the expenses, which shall be found to have been expended, first restored, he shall recover his own holding. For if the term of two years has elapsed, he who kept silent will lack every right of possession and of dominion. * valentin.
Qui fundos patrimoniales iure privato salvo canone susceperunt, hanc omnes sine ullius exceptione personae propositam intellegant optionem, ut aut ea loca, quibus minor est soli fecunditas, cum his, ex quibus fructus uberes capiunt, suscipere et tenere non abnuant, aut si eorum refugiunt sterilitatem, opimioribus cedant. * theodos. arcad.
Those who have received patrimonial estates under private law, the canon being preserved, let all, without exception of any person, understand that this option is set forth: either they should not refuse to accept and hold those places where the fertility of the soil is lesser together with those from which they take abundant fruits, or, if they shun their sterility, let them cede the more opulent ones. * theodosius, arcadius.
Sin vero impares esse earum rerum tributis propria confitentur absentia nec adesse voluerint, penes eos, qui haec susceperint et certum quem tributorum canonem promittunt, proprietas possessionis intemerata permaneant, ut, postquam ea exsolverint, sciant sibi inquietudinem submovendam nec subreptione cuiusquam competitionis loca quae tenuerunt auferenda.<a 400 d. vi k. sept. stilichone et aureliano conss.>
But if indeed they confess that, by their own absence, they are unequal to the taxes of those things and are not willing to be present, let the ownership of the holding remain inviolate with those who have undertaken these matters and who promise a fixed canon of the taxes, so that, after they have paid them, they may know that trouble is to be removed from them, and that the places which they have held are not to be taken away by the stealth of any rival claim.<a in 400, on the sixth day before the Kalends of September, with Stilicho and Aurelianus as consuls.>
Hac definitione sancimus nullum possessorem neque munificum praedium pro alienis debitis vel destitutione esse retinendum neque eorum praediorum depectione praegravari, quae ex isdem bonis quae retinentur nequaquam esse monstrantur, ne ullis praestigiis atque commentis exactio mutiletur. * honor. et theodos.
By this definition we sanction that no possessor, nor any estate subject to public burdens, be held for another’s debts or desertion, nor be overburdened by the levying upon those estates which are in no way shown to belong to the same assets that are being retained, lest by any sleights and contrivances the exaction be mutilated. * honor. et theodos.
Rura et possessiones, quas curiales quolibet pacto publicatis apud acta provincialia desideriis suis vel reliquerunt vel possidere alios permiserunt, penes eos , qui eas excoluerunt et functiones publicas recognoscunt, firmiter perdurabunt, nullam habentibus curialibus copiam repetendi. * honor. et theodos.
Rural lands and possessions, which the curials, by whatever pact, with their desires published in the provincial records, either have relinquished or have permitted others to possess, shall remain firmly with those who have cultivated them and acknowledge the public functions (dues), the curials having no opportunity of reclaiming them. * honor. and theodos.
Si quis deserta praedia, quae navalem sustinent functionem et in desertis nunc usque remanent, sub peraequationis iure perceperit, meliore condicione in omnibus titulis convenit ea relevari, ut gravis sors navalis esse non possit pro ea quae resederit portiuncula, cum aliis fuerit dispendiis liberata. * honor. et theodos.
If anyone has received deserted estates, which sustain the naval function and have remained in desertion up to now, under the right of equalization, it is agreed that they be relieved on better terms in all titles, so that a heavy naval lot may not be upon the portion that has remained, since it has been freed from other expenditures. * Honorius and Theodosius.
Si quis auctoritate nostri numinis de fundis patrimonialibus steriles sub certi canonis pollicitatione susceperit, firmiter eum volumus possidere sub eiusdem tantum canonis solutione, quem nostrae maiestatis auctoritas per annos singulos solvendum esse praescripserit, nullamque eos descriptionem aut adiectionem aut innovationem in posterum sustinere, quoniam nimis absurdum est eos, qui nobis hortantibus fundus inopes atque egenos magno labore impenso aut exhausto patrimonio vix forte meliorare potuerint, utpote deceptos inopinatum onus suscipere illudque velut quadam circumventione deposci, quod si se daturos praescissent, fundos minime suscipere aut etiam colere paterentur. * theodos. et valentin.
If anyone, by the authority of our numen, shall have undertaken from the patrimonial estates barren lands under a promise of a fixed canon, we will that he hold them firmly under payment only of that same canon which the authority of our majesty shall have prescribed to be paid each year, and that they sustain in the future no assessment, nor addition, nor innovation; for it is exceedingly absurd that those who, at our exhortation, have been able with great labor expended, or with their patrimony exhausted, scarcely perhaps to improve estates poor and needy, should, as if deceived, take on an unexpected burden and that it be demanded as by a kind of circumvention—something which, if they had foreknown they would have to pay, they would by no means have accepted the estates or even have consented to cultivate them. * theodosius and valentinian.
Quocirca generali lege sancimus tiberiani dispositionem oportere servari, amoventes, quidquid vel potentia uniuscuiusque elicuit vel furtiva deprecatio, addentesque nihilo minus in futurum nulli licere adversus utilem vetustatem et praesentem legem nostram importuna et respuenda reposcere.<a 385 d.Xviii k.Oct.Aquileiae arcadio a.Et bautone conss.>
Wherefore by a general law we sanction that the disposition of Tiberianus must be observed, removing whatever either the power of any individual has elicited or furtive supplication has obtained, and adding nonetheless for the future that it is lawful for no one, against useful antiquity and our present law, to reclaim things importunate and to be spurned.<a 385 d.18 k.Oct.at Aquileia Arcadius Aug. And Bauto, consuls.>
Quod si ulterius vel privatae condicionis quispiam in his locis vel non castellanus miles fuerit detentator inventus, capitali sententia cum bonorum publicatione plectatur.<a 423 d.Non.Mart.Constantinopoli asclepiodoto et mariniano conss. >
But if hereafter either someone of private status in these places, or a soldier not a castellan, is found to be a detainer, let him be punished with a capital sentence together with publication of his goods.<a year 423 on the Nones of March, at Constantinople, asclepiodotus and marinianus, consuls. >
Agros limitaneos universos cum paludibus omnique iure, quos ex prisca dispositione limitanei milites ab omni munere vacuos ipsi curare pro suo compendio atque arare consueverunt, et si in praesenti coluntur, ab his firmiter ac sine ullo concussionis gravamine detineri, et si ab aliis possidentur, cuiuslibet spatii temporis praescriptione cessante ab universis detentatoribus vindicatos isdem militibus sine ullo prorsus, sicut antiquitus statutum est, collationis onere volumus adsignari: in his etiam contra eos, qui praeceptionibus nostris obviam venire temptaverint, proscriptionis poena valitura. * theodos. et valentin.
All frontier fields together with marshes and every right, which by ancient disposition the limitanei soldiers, exempt from every munus, have been accustomed themselves to tend for their own profit and to plow, and, if at present they are cultivated, to be held by them firmly and without any burden of concussion; and, if they are possessed by others, with the prescription of whatever span of time ceasing, after being vindicated from all detainers, we will that they be assigned to the same soldiers without any burden whatsoever of contribution, just as it was established in antiquity: in these matters also the penalty of proscription shall be in force against those who shall have attempted to come up against our precepts. * THEODOSIUS AND VALENTINIAN.
Nam si quis forte, quod minime audere debuerat, emptionis titulo memorati iuris possidet praedia, competens ei actio contra venditorem intacta servabitur.<a 443 d.Prid.Id.Sept.Constantinopoli maximo ii et paterio conss.>
For if anyone by chance, which he ought least to have dared, possesses estates by the title of purchase of the aforesaid right, the competent action for him against the seller shall be preserved intact.<a 443 on the day before the Ides of September, at Constantinople, in the consulship of Maximus 2 and Paterius.>
Cum nulla ratio sit, cur in pascuis saltibus rei privatae pensio debeat ampliari , nequaquam pro libidine ordinum augmenta facienda sunt. * valentin. et valens aa. ad rufinum pp. *<a 365 d.Viiii k.Oct.Luceriae valentiniano et valente aa. conss.>
Since there is no reason why in the pastures and woodland-ranges of the Res Privata the payment ought to be enlarged , by no means are augmentations to be made at the whim of the orders. * Valentinian and Valens, Augusti, to Rufinus, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 365 d.9 k.Oct. at Luceria, in the consulship of Valentinian and Valens, Augusti.>
Etenim idcirco graviorem pensionem imponi ab ordinibus accipimus, ut animalia ex rebus privatis nostris a locorum pastibus arceantur: quod fieri non oportere divae memoriae iulianus prorogata iussione constituit.<a 365 d.Viiii k.Oct.Luceriae valentiniano et valente aa. conss.>
For in fact for this reason we understand that a heavier pension is being imposed by the orders, namely that animals from our private properties be kept away from the pastures of the places: which ought not to be done, as Julian of divine memory established by a prorogated order.<a 365 d.Viiii k.Oct.Luceriae valentiniano et valente aa. conss.>
Insignis auctoritas tua hac condicione a publicis pratis apamenis animalia militum prohiberi praecipiat, ut universi cognoscant de emolumentis eorum tuique officii facultatibus duodecim libras auri fisci commodis exigendas, si quisquam posthac memorata prata mutilare temptaverit: non minore decernenda poena, si etiam prata privatorum antiochenorum fuerint devastata: ita tamen, ut sine laesione provincialium provideant curiales, quo pacto animalium militarium pastui consulatur. * arcad. et honor.
Let your distinguished authority order, on this condition, that military animals be prohibited from the public meadows of the Apameni, to the end that all may know that from their emoluments and from the resources of your office twelve pounds of gold are to be exacted to the advantage of the fisc, if anyone hereafter shall attempt to mutilate the aforesaid meadows: with no lesser penalty to be decreed if even the meadows of private Antiochenes have been devastated: provided, however, that the curials, without injury to the provincials, make provision for how the pasturage of the military animals is to be cared for. * arcad. et honor.
Patrimonialis fundi pensitationem aurariam seu frumentariam intra tempus omissam minorum dominio non nocere praecipimus nec ad fraudem iuris eorum evadere, si, quod sollemniter debetur, paulo serius inferatur: ita tamen, ut permanente substantia parvulorum iudex tutorem vel curatorem, per quem differtur illatio, neglegentiae suae et deserti officii poenas exigat et damna deplorare compellat. * const. a. ad dracontium.
We prescribe that the aurarian (gold) or frumentary (grain) payment of a patrimonial estate, if omitted within the time-limit, shall not harm the ownership of minors, nor amount to a defrauding of their right if what is customarily owed is brought in a little later; provided, however, that with the substance of the little ones remaining intact, the judge shall exact from the tutor or curator—through whom the remittance is deferred—the penalties for his negligence and desertion of duty, and shall compel him to make good the damages. * const. a. to dracontius.
Sed nec avelli eas ab his posse, nec si licitatio ab alio fuerit promissa, sed eas in perpetuum apud eos qui eas susceperint et eorum posteritatem remanere, nec si super hoc rescriptum fuerit adversus eos impetratum.<a 365 d.Viii k.Oct.Mediolani valentiniano et valente aa.Conss.>
But neither can they be torn away from these persons, nor if a licitation has been promised by another; rather they are to remain in perpetuity with those who have undertaken them and with their posterity, nor even if a rescript has been obtained against them on this matter.<a 365 on the 8th day before the Kalends of October, at Milan, Valentinian and Valens, Augusti, consuls.>
Fundi patrimoniales et qui ex emphyteutico iure ad domum nostram diversis generibus devoluti sunt, sic eis qui eos poposcerint cedunt, ut commissi metus esse non possit. neque enim magis commodamus nostra, quam tradimus ea iure dominii: ita tamen, ut ea, quae in nostra possessione positi praestiterint, et in posterum dissolvant. * vanentin.
Patrimonial estates, and those which from emphyteutic right have devolved to our house by diverse modes, pass thus to those who have requested them, so that there can be no fear of forfeiture. For we are not so much lending our own things as transferring them by the right of dominion; provided, however, that they discharge the dues which, while the estates were set in our possession, have accrued, and also pay in the future. * vanentin.
Si vero minor facultatibus probabitur, datis fideiussoribus idoneis ad emphyteusin accedat: scientibus his, quos talium rerum cura sollicitat, in se neglegentiae damna, si huiusmodi cautio defuerit, esse vertenda.<a 386 d.Vi k.Mart.Constantinopoli honorio nob.Puero et euodio conss.>
But if he shall be proved inferior in resources, let him enter upon the emphyteusis, suitable sureties (fidejussors) having been furnished: with those whom the care of such matters concerns being aware that, if such a caution be lacking, the losses from negligence are to be turned upon themselves.<a 386 on the 6th day before the Kalends of March, at Constantinople, Honorius, a noble boy, and Evodius, consuls.>
Omnes fundi patrimoniales per mesopotamiam et osrhoenam provincias, quos constat divorum retro principum sanctionibus limiti deputatos, ad ius pristinum sine ullius adsertionis revocetur obstaculo praebituri omnia quae antea impendenda necessitatibus limitis praebere consueverant, ita ut nulli penitus audiantur, qui aut rescripto aut adnotatione dominium vel emphyteusin vel conductionem quolibet genere largitatis de nostra liberalitate meruerint. * grat. valentin.
All patrimonial estates throughout the provinces of Mesopotamia and Osrhoene, which are established by the sanctions of the deified former emperors as having been assigned to the frontier (limes), shall be recalled to their former right without the obstacle of any claim, and shall furnish everything which they had previously been accustomed to provide for the necessities of the frontier; with the result that absolutely none are to be heard who, by rescript or by annotation, have obtained from our liberality ownership, or emphyteusis, or lease by any kind of largess. * Gratian, Valentinian.
Universi cognoscant nihil privato iure salvo canone fundis emptis cum patrimonialibus esse commune, ita ut ad eos numquam patrimonialium fundorum peraequator accedat: gravi multa feriendo eo, qui statuta nostrae clementiae ausus fuerit temerare. * arcad. et honor.
Let all know that, in private law, saving the canon, nothing is common between purchased estates and patrimonial ones, such that the equalizer of patrimonial estates shall never approach them; by striking with a grave mulct anyone who shall have dared to violate the statutes of our clemency. * arcad. and honor.
Fundos patrimoniales eos dumtaxat, qui salvo canone iure privato nostra liberalitate concessi sunt, cum his patrimonialibus, qui in condicione propria constituti sunt, illustris auctoritas tua iubebit exaequari, ita ut relevato, quod imminet fatigatis, translatio in eos, qui integris viribus florent, adscriptio tributorum aequa lance dividatur. * arcad. et honor.
Your Illustrious Authority shall order those patrimonial estates only which, with the canon preserved, have been granted by our liberality under private law, to be equalized with those patrimonial estates which are constituted in their own proper condition, so that, with what overhangs the wearied being lightened, by a transfer onto those who flourish with unimpaired strength, the ascription of tributes may be divided with an even scale. * Arcadius and Honorius.
Possessores vel emphyteuticarii patrimoniales, qui fundos minime nunc usque compararunt, eodem largitatis modo nequaquam ad eorum comparationem urgueantur, sed tamquam pretiis depensis, sic eis nostri numinis beneficio potiantur, ut, quod iuris alter inferendo pretium consecutus est, hoc nostra liberalitate praedictus emphyteuticarius habeat. * theodos. et valentin.
Proprietors or patrimonial emphyteuticaries, who up to now have by no means acquired the estates, are by no means to be pressed to their acquisition by that same mode of largess; rather, as though the prices had been expended, let them, by the beneficence of our divinity, obtain them, so that the right which another has acquired by bringing in the price, this by our liberality the aforesaid emphyteuticary shall have. * Theodosius and Valentinian.
Illud quoque ius, in quibus coluit praediis, quod aut ex successione aut ex comparatione privata aut nostri numinis liberalitate aut quocumque modo possedit, sciat inlibatum intemeratumque servari: licentia eis concedenda etiam libertates mancipiis ex fundis patrimonialibus atque emphyteuticariis, cum fundorum sunt domini, praestare.<a 434 d.Xiiii k.Iul.Constantinopoli ariobindo et aspare conss.>
Let him also know that that right, in whichever estates he has cultivated, which he has possessed either from succession or from private purchase or by the liberality of our divinity or in whatever way, is preserved unimpaired and inviolate: permission is to be granted to them also to confer liberties upon slaves from patrimonial and emphyteutic estates, when they are owners of the estates.<a 434 d.14 k.Iul.Constantinopoli ariobindo et aspare conss.>
Nulli iam in posterum licere praecipimus patrimoniales seu limitotrophos vel saltuenses fundos, qui per tractum orientis positi sunt, ad ius transferre privatum, sive dempto sive salvo canone iuris fundorum immutatio postuletur: legis temeratores quinquaginta librarum auri poena coercentes tam videlicet petitorem quam officium, quod petitionem concedit admitti, licet adnotatio nostra, licet divina pragmatica contra vetitum proferatur. * theodos. et valentin.
we now command that it be permitted to no one in the future to transfer patrimonial or limitrophe or saltuensian estates, which are situated along the tract of the East, into private right, whether, with the canon (ground-rent) deducted or preserved, a change of the law-status of the estates is demanded: constraining violators of the law with a penalty of fifty pounds of gold—namely both the petitioner and the office which allows the petition to be admitted—even if our annotation, even if a divine pragmatic sanction is produced against the prohibition. * theodosius and valentinian.
Iubemus omnes, qui in quacumque dioecesi in quacumque provincia vel quolibet saltu fundos patrimoniales vel templorum aut agonothetici seu relevatorum iugorum vel cuiuscumque iuris per quadraginta iugiter annos ( possessione scilicet non solum eorum qui nunc detinent, verum etiam eorum quoque qui antea possederant computanda) ex quocumque titulo vel etiam sine titulo hactenus possederunt vel postea per memoratum quadraginta annorum spatium possederint, nullam penitus super dominio memoratorum omnium fundorum vel locorum vel domorum a publico actionem vel molestiam aut quamlibet inquietudinem formidare. * anastas. a. matroniano pp. *<a 491 d. iii k. aug.
We order that all who, in whatever diocese, in whatever province, or in any forest-district, have possessed, or shall have possessed, patrimonial estates or those of temples, or agonothetic estates or of iuga that have been relieved, or of whatever right, for forty continuous years (the possession, namely, being reckoned not only of those who now hold, but also of those who previously possessed), from whatever title or even without title, up to now or hereafter through the aforesaid span of forty years, are to fear no public action at all, nor annoyance, nor any disquiet whatsoever, concerning the dominion of all the aforesaid estates or places or houses. * anastasius augustus to matronianus, praetorian prefect. *<a 491, on the 3rd day before the kalends of august.
Sed impositum canonem pro qualitate iuris, cuius praedia sunt vel loca, per singulos annos solventes pro certo habeant suum esse quod possident vel postea possederint, ita ut omnibus ad excludendam omnem quolibet modo e publico movendam quaestionem nudae et ex quocumque titulo vel etiam sine titulo corporalis quadraginta annorum iugis possessionis exceptio possit sufficere.<a 491 d. iii k. aug. constantinopoli olybrio vc. cons.>
But those who, paying year by year the imposed canon according to the quality of the right to which the estates or places belong, may hold as certain that what they possess or shall afterwards possess is their own, such that for everyone, in order to exclude any question to be moved from the public in any manner whatsoever, the bare exception of corporeal, continuous possession for 40 years, from whatever title or even without title, can suffice.<a 491 july 30, at constantinople, olybrius, a most distinguished man, consul.>
Hoc etiam adiciendo, ut illi quoque, qui dempto canone huiusmodi fundos ab initio principali iussione datos sibi fuisse confirmant, si per quadragesimos annos adempti canonis beneficium iugiter possederunt, nec canonem, cuius ademptionem quadraginta, sicut dictum est, annorum possessio testatur, possint penitus profligari, eo quod nostrae pietati placuit in utroque casu, id est tam salvo quam dempto canone, possessorum iura nostrorum in eo statu, in quo per quadragesimos, sicut dictum est, iugiter annos manserunt, absque ulla innovatione durare.<a 491 d. iii k. aug. constantinopoli olybrio vc. cons.>
By adding this also: that those too who affirm that estates of this sort, with the canon remitted, were from the beginning given to them by imperial order, if for forty years they have continually possessed the benefit of the remitted canon, cannot at all be utterly overthrown as to the canon, whose removal a possession of forty years, as has been said, attests; because it has pleased our piety that in either case—namely both with the canon preserved and with the canon remitted—the rights of our possessors should endure, without any innovation, in that status in which they have remained for forty continuous years, as has been said.<a 491, day 3 before the Kalends of August, at Constantinople, Olybrius, a most distinguished man, consul.>
Emphyteuticarios gravant coloni agros praeter consuetudinem usurpantes, quos nullis culturis erudierunt, cum sollemnitas id eos attractare permittat, quod eorum labore vel olivetis est obsitum vel vinetis. sed et inriguas fontium aquas usurpare conantur, quarum fructus solis emphyteuticariis debentur. * const.
The emphyteuticaries are burdened by coloni who, contrary to custom, usurp fields which they have not improved by any cultivations, whereas the solemn usage permits them to handle only that which, by their labor, is planted either with olive-groves or with vineyards. But they also attempt to usurp the irrigating waters of springs, the profit of which is owed to the emphyteuticaries alone. * const.
Ideoque placuit, ut deinceps aquarum ius potestatesque penes emphyteuticarios permaneant, tantumque ex eis colonis impertiatur, quantum culturis eorum agrorum sufficere manifestum est, quos ipsi colunt.<a 319 pp. vii id. mart. carthagine constantino a. v et licinio c. conss.>
And therefore it was resolved that henceforth the water-right and powers remain with the emphyteuticaries, and that only so much be imparted to the coloni from them as is manifest to suffice for the cultivation of those fields which they themselves till.<a 319, on the 7th day before the Ides of March, at Carthage, under the consuls Constantine, Augustus, for the 5th time, and Licinius, Caesar.>
Cognovimus a nonnullis, qui patrimoniales fundos meruerunt, colonos antiquissimos proturbari atque in eorum locum vel servos proprios vel alios colonos subrogari. edicti itaque huius auctoritate sancimus eos, qui deinceps huiusmodi aliquid crediderint attemptandum, isdem possessionibus esse privandos. * grat.
We have learned from some who have merited patrimonial estates that the most ancient coloni are being driven out, and in their place either their own slaves or other coloni are being subrogated. therefore, by the authority of this edict, we sanction that those who henceforth shall have believed that something of this sort is to be attempted are to be deprived of the same possessions. * grat.
Super patrimonialium refectione fundorum dudum nostris est legibus constitutum, ut ii, qui eos colentes solum eorum verterant, nunc alia loca deligentes, nunc ad militiam convolantes, ad avitas condiciones et propria iura revocentur. * grat. valentin.
On the refection of patrimonial estates it has long since been established by our laws that those who, while cultivating them, had turned their soil, now choosing other places, now flying to military service, are to be called back to their ancestral conditions and to their own rights. * Gratian and Valentinian.
Quicumque parvuli ex municipibus vel colonis patrimonialibus aut saltuensibus, quorum tamen avi ac patres implicati huiusmodi functionibus fuerint, coniventia militaris officii ad stipendium castrense vel officia diversa transierint, ad munera patriae vel agrorum cultus conventis ducibus tribunis ac praepositis revocentur neque his prosint stipendia. * grat. valentin.
Whoever of the minors from among the municipals or the patrimonial or the saltuensian coloni, whose grandfathers and fathers, however, have been implicated in functions of this kind, shall, with the connivance of the military office, have passed over to the camp stipend or to diverse offices, let them be recalled to the munera of their fatherland or to the cultivation of the fields, the duces, tribunes, and praepositi having been convened; nor let the stipends profit them. * grat. valentin.
Cuiuscumque adnotationis vel oraculi dudum impetrati vel postea eliciendi auctoritate submota omnes, quos patrimonialium agrorum vinculis fortuna tenet adstrictos, sub quibuslibet gradibus militantes ad provinciae moderatoris iudicium ilico sub idonea intercessione mittentur. * honor. et theodos.
With the authority of whatever adnotation or oracle, whether long since impetrated or afterwards to be elicited, set aside, all those whom fortune holds bound by the bonds of patrimonial fields, serving under whatever grades, shall be sent forthwith, under suitable surety, to the judgment of the moderator of the province. * honor. et theodos.
Emphyteuticarii possessores, qui mansuetudinis nostrae beneficio ad extraordinaria minime devocantur munera, sicut ceteri provinciales obsequium suum muniendis itineribus impendant. nulla enim ratione debent ab hoc, quod in commune omnibus profuturum est, seiungi. * const.
Emphyteuticary possessors, who by the benefit of our clemency are in no way summoned to extraordinary burdens, should, just like the other provincials, expend their service for the fortifying of the roads. For by no reasoning ought they to be separated from that which is going to benefit all in common. * const.
Patrimoniales fundos extraordinariis oneribus vel mediae aut tertiae portionis obsequiis fatigari non convenit, cum eosdem et auri speciem et frumenti plurimum modum constet persolvere: ita ut, qui violare statuta temptaverit, puniatur. * const. a. ad catullinum procons.
Patrimonial estates ought not to be burdened by extraordinary charges or by the services of the half or third portion, since it is established that these same pay both gold in specie and a very great quantity of grain: thus, let whoever attempts to violate the statutes be punished. * const. a. to Catullinus, procons.
Omnes, qui patrimoniales fundos sive communiter sive ex asse retinent, pro his conveniendi sunt ad universorum munerum ad eosdem fundos pertinentium pro rata portione vel in solidum functiones, sicut unumquemque privatorum necessitas publicae pensitationis adstringit. * iul. a.*<a 362 d. v k. april.
All who retain patrimonial estates, whether communally or for the whole (ex asse), are to be convened for the discharge of all public burdens pertaining to those same estates, in pro rata portion or in solidum, just as the necessity of public assessment constrains each private person. * Jul. Aug. *<a 362 on the 5th day before the Kalends of April.
Placuit, ut emphyteuticorum fundorum patrimonialiumque possessores, quo voluerint tempore et quantum habuerint pensionis paratum ( dummodo non amplius quam in tribus per singulos annos vicibus) officio rationalis adsignent ac de suscepto ab eodem securitatem eodem die pro more percipiant, modo ut intra ianuariarum iduum diem omnis summa ratiociniis publicis inferatur: gravissimae poenae subdendo officio, si cuiquam quolibet anni tempore ( dummodo nequaquam numerum trinae illationis excedat) solutionem facere gestienti negaverit susceptionis officium, vel si moram fecerit in chirographo securitatis edendo. * valentin. et valens aa. ad germanianum com.
It has been decreed that the possessors of emphyteutic estates and of patrimonial estates, at whatever time they wish and with as much of the pension as they have ready ( provided that it be not more than three times in each year), shall assign it to the office of the rationalis and, for what has been received by him, shall receive security on the same day according to custom, provided that by the day of the Ides of January the whole sum be brought into the public accounts: the office being subjected to a most severe penalty, if the office of reception should refuse to anyone eager to make a payment at any time of the year ( provided that it by no means exceeds the number of a triple remittance) the act of acceptance, or if it should cause delay in issuing the chirograph of security. * Valentinian and Valens, Augusti, to Germanianus, count.
Super quo possessores apud curatores vel magistratus aut quicumque in locis fuerint, qui conficiendorum actorum habeant potestatem, conveniet contestari, ut et de officii insolentia constet, in quod exercenda vindicta est, et his possit esse consultum.<a 366>
On this point it will be proper for the landholders to lodge a formal protest before the curators or magistrates, or whoever in the localities may be present who have the power to draw up official acts, so that both the insolence of the office, upon which retribution is to be exercised, may be established, and that provision may be made for them.<a 366>
Sciant vero memorati iudices nihil sibi ex privatae rei canone vel ex eo, quod ex isdem titulis contigerit, ad necessitates alias transferendum, nisi malint gravissima severitate eorum licentiam coerceri.<a 399 d. xvi k. iun. mediolani theodoro cons.>
Let the aforementioned judges know that nothing for themselves from the canon of private property, or from what has accrued from those same titles, is to be transferred to other necessities, unless they prefer that their license be restrained by most grave severity.<a 399 on the 16th day before the Kalends of June, at Milan, in the consulship of Theodorus.>
Universi cognoscant has possessiones quas de fisco nostro comparaverunt seu comparant, nullo a nobis iure retrahi, sed propria firmitate possessas etiam ad posteros suos dominii perpetui durabilitate dimitti. * constantius et constans aa. edictum ad heliopolitanos. *<a 341 d. prid.
Let all know that those possessions which they have acquired, or are acquiring, from our fisc are not to be withdrawn from them by any right on our part, but, held with their own firmness, are to be left even to their descendants with the durability of perpetual dominion. * Constantius and Constans, Augusti. Edict to the Heliopolitans. *<a 341 d. the day before.
Ii, quos commoditas privatae rei praediorum ad ea postulanda sollicitat, adeant tuae dicationis officium et modum suae deliberationis indicent per libellos certumque habeant pro unaquaque villa, cum eo onere vel forma cui nunc habetur obnoxia ad novi domini iura migraverit, ut, si quid adiecerit sumptus cura sollertia, quidquid mancipiorum vel pecoris adcreverit, capitationis aut canonis augmenta non patiatur, sed solis dominis heredibusque dominorum sit cessura felicitas. * valentin. et valens aa. ad florianum com.
Those whom the convenience of private property in estates prompts to request these things should approach your devotion’s office and indicate by petitions the measure of their deliberation, and let them have it fixed that for each villa, when it has migrated to the rights of a new lord with that burden or form to which it is now held subject, if expense, care, or skill has added anything, whatever increase of slaves or livestock has accrued shall not suffer augmentations of capitation or canon, but the good fortune shall pass to the lords and to the heirs of the lords alone. * valentinian and valens, augusti, to florianus, count.
Sane si quem postea minus idoneum factum esse constabit nec ita ut expedit rationem reddere pensionis, res, quas ex nostris rebus acceperat, ad alium idoneum iure quo sanximus transferentur: nec tamen decoctoris cuiusque reliquis qui novus accedit onerari.<a xxx >
Indeed, if it shall thereafter be established that someone has become less suitable and thus not as is expedient to render an account of the instalment, the things which he had received from our resources shall be transferred to another suitable person by the law which we have sanctioned; nor, however, are the arrears of any bankrupt to be imposed upon the newcomer who accedes.<a xxx > ;
Quicumque possessionem rei privatae nostrae acceptam suo nomine vel iure perpetuo vel titulo conductionis ei crediderit esse tradendam, qui pensare utilitatem patrimonii nostri solvendo non valeat, is pro eo quem succedaneum subrogavit perpetuae solutioni statuatur obnoxius. * grat. valentin.
Whoever shall have believed that the possession of our private property, received in his own name, whether by perpetual right or by the title of lease, is to be delivered to one who is not solvent to make good, by payment, the revenue of our patrimony, he shall be established as liable to perpetual payment in place of the substitute whom he has subrogated. * Gratian, Valentinian.
Usus aquae, quae fundorum nostrorum utilitatibus serviebat, plurimorum dicitur usurpatione sublatus, idque procuratorum coniventia vel dissimulatione perfectum , ut agrorum fertilitas destituta nullos fructus cultoribus praestet. * grat. valentin.
The use of the water, which was serving the utilities of our estates, is said to have been removed by the usurpation of very many, and this was accomplished by the connivance or dissimulation of the procurators , so that the fertility of the fields, left destitute, affords no fruits to the cultivators. * grat. valentin.
Eum, qui curiae vel collegio vel burgis ceterisque corporibus per triginta annos sine interpellatione servierit, res dominica vel intentio privata non inquietabit, si colonatus vel inquilinatus quaestionem movere temptaverit: sed in curia vel in corpore, in quo servierit, remaneat. * arcad. et honor.
Him who has served the curia or a college or the boroughs and the other corporations for thirty years without interruption, the imperial domain or a private claim shall not disturb, if colonate or inquilinage should attempt to raise a question: but let him remain in the curia or in the body in which he has served. * arcad. and honor.
Quod si quis in posterum ad interdictum contractum accesserit, eum volumus pretia perdere fundos reddere fructus redhibere perpetuo nec expensarum vel melioratae rei fructuum exactioni compensationem opponere nec temporis sibimet contra nostra commoda praescriptione, excepto vetustatis auxilio, blandiri.<a 440 d. xiii k. iun. constantinopoli anatolio vc. cons.>
But if anyone in the future shall have acceded to a prohibited contract, we will that he forfeit the prices, restore the estates, absolutely return the fruits, and absolutely neither oppose compensation for expenses or for the ameliorated thing to the exaction of the fruits, nor, against our interests, flatter himself with a prescription of time—save with the aid of antiquity.<a 440, day 13 before the Kalends of June, at Constantinople, Anatolius, a most distinguished man, consul.>
Nulla liberalitate nostrae clementiae, nulla sanctione contra tanta rei privatae commoda valitura, licet adnotatio vel divina pragmatica sit, quae contra vetita canonem vendere concedit vel poenam palatino remittit officio.<a 440 d. xiii k. iun. constantinopoli anatolio vc. cons.>
No liberality of our clemency, no sanction will be valid against such great interests of the Private Estate, even if it be an annotation or an imperial pragmatic sanction, which permits selling the canon contrary to the prohibitions or remits the penalty for the palatine office.<a 440 d. xiii k. iun. constantinopoli anatolio vc. cons.>
Si quis ovium vel equarum greges in saltus rei dominicae alienus immiserit, fisco ilico vindicetur. quod si venalis procuratorum coniventia, ut id deinceps temptetur, admiserit, gravissimo eos iubemus supplicio subiacere. * valentin.
If any outsider has driven flocks of sheep or herds of mares into the pasture-lands of the imperial domain, let it be immediately claimed by the fiscus. But if, by the venal connivance of the procurators, he shall have allowed this to be attempted thereafter, we order them to be subject to the most severe punishment. * Valentinian.
Si qua loca ad sacrum dominium pertinentia cuiuslibet temeritas occupavit, secundum veteris census fidem in sua iura retrahantur: rescriptis per obreptionem impetratis et praescriptione longi temporis et novi census praeiudicio in hac causa submovendis. * theodos. arcad.
If any places pertaining to the sacred domain have been seized by anyone’s rashness, let them be drawn back into their proper rights according to the authority of the old census: rescripts obtained by obreption and the prescription of long time and the prejudice of a new census are to be set aside in this matter. * theodos. arcad.
Nullus omnino originalis colonus rei privatae nostrae ad aliquos honores vel quaelibet alia civitatis munera devocetur. nec enim civitatum ordinibus et ceteris , ex quibus pro multitudine fieri nominationes oportet, per omnia florentibus ad haec suprema praesidia iniuriosa nominatione descendendum est. * const.
No original colonus whatsoever of our private estate is to be called down to any honors or to whatever other civic munera. For it is not to be descended, by an injurious nomination, to these supreme bulwarks, with the orders of the cities and the others , from whom, in proportion to their multitude, nominations ought to be made, flourishing in all respects. * const.
Colonos nostros, qui sunt privati vel ad ratiocinia gerenda vel ad colendos agros idonei, retrahi iubemus ac tantum colendis nostris rebus addici, quin etiam in posterum observari, ne quis eorum rem privatam cuiusquam gerendam aut aliquid ministrandum suscipiat. * const. a. ianiuario com.
We order that our coloni, whether they are in private service or suitable for managing accounts or for cultivating the fields, be recalled and be assigned solely to the cultivation of our estates; and moreover let it be observed henceforth that none of them undertakes to manage anyone’s private business or to administer anything. * const. by Januarius, count.
Servi atque coloni, etiam eorum filii vel nepotes, vel quicumque de fundis ac possessionibus nostris clanculo ad officia convolaverint diversa, reddantur, etiamsi armatae habuerint sacramenta militiae. nos enim etiam eos discingi iubemus ac reddi, qui protectorum fuerint nomen adepti. * valentin.
slaves and coloni, even their sons or grandsons, or whoever from our farms and estates have clandestinely flocked to diverse offices, shall be returned, even if they have taken the oaths of the armed military service. for we also order that even those who have obtained the name of the protectors be unbelted and returned. * valentin.
Quotiens alicui colonorum agrum privati patrimonii nostri placuerit venumdari, non usus tantum, qui forte consortibus suis gravis ac molestus existat, sed alii quoque duo vel plures ex simili origine ac iure venientes in supra dicta emptione socientur. * theodos. a. et valentin.
Whenever it shall have pleased any one of the coloni that a field of our private patrimony be sold, not the use only, which perhaps may be heavy and troublesome to his co-sharers, but two or more others also, coming from a like origin and right, are to be associated in the aforesaid purchase. * theodosius a. and valentinian.
Meminimus pragmatica sanctione iussisse fundos tamiaci iuris in provinciis positos nec non etiam possessiones gonatici saltus sub certa forma ( salvo scilicet canone et tributariis collationibus isdem praediis impositis) volentibus distrahi, quatenus, quidquid ex pretiis memoratorum fundorum possit restitui, publico inferatur. * zeno a. sebastiano pp. *<a xxx >
We remember that by a pragmatic sanction we ordered that estates of the treasury’s right located in the provinces, and likewise the holdings of the Gonaticus saltus, under a certain form ( with the canon and the tributary contributions imposed on the same estates, of course, being preserved), be sold to willing purchasers, to the extent that whatever can be restored from the prices of the aforesaid estates shall be paid into the public fisc. * Zeno Augustus to Sebastianus, Praetorian Prefect. *<a xxx >
Eos, qui auctione prima fundorum iuris patrimonialis sive templorum possessores effecti sunt vel fuerint, firmum dominium tenere decernimus, ne ulterius vacillet uniuscuiusque possessio, sed teneat quisque ius proprium, quod dato pretio roboratum est vel fuerit. * arcad. et honor.
We decree that those who by the first auction of estates of patrimonial right or of temples have become or shall have become possessors hold firm dominion, so that the possession of each may no longer waver, but let each retain his proper right, which has been or shall have been confirmed by the price paid. * arcad. et honor.
Si qui ex titulo donationis vel ex emptione sive ex alio quolibet titulo possessiones vel domus vel ergasteria iuris dumtaxat civilis, quae huius iuris esse vere probantur, cuiuslibet civitatis et praecipue huius aeternae urbis, cui maiorem debemus favorem, tam civilis, ut dictum est, iuris quam etiam agnotheticas possessiones a consulatu ausonii et olybrii dempto civili canone acceperunt, eos impositum eis canonem iuxta fidem publicorum monumentorum civitatis, ad quam eaedem res pertinuerunt, praebere iubemus. * valentin. et marcian.
If any persons, under a title of donation or from purchase or under any other whatsoever title, have received possessions or houses or workshops of merely civil law—which are truly proved to be of this law—of any city and especially of this eternal city, to which we owe greater favor, both possessions of civil law, as said, and also agnothetic possessions, from the consulate of Ausonius and Olybrius, with the civil canon removed, we order that they pay the canon imposed upon them according to the faith of the public records of the city to which those same properties belonged. * valentinian and marcian.
Nam si privatis viris debita non patimur denegari, multo magis praebenda sunt civitatibus quae iure debentur, cum sufficiat possessoribus, quod apud eos dominium in perpetuum ex nostra liberalitate permaneat.<a 451 d. xv k. febr. constantinopoli marciano a. cons.>
For if we do not allow debts to be denied to private persons, much more must those things be furnished to cities which are owed by law, since it suffices for the possessors that dominion remain with them in perpetuity by our liberality.<a 451, 15th day before the Kalends of February, at Constantinople, in the consulship of Marcianus.>
Si quae tamen possessiones iuris civilis canonem privatis largitionibus in praesenti praebent vel numquam ademptum vel postea impositum, ad hanc iussionem non pertinebunt, sed privato aerario canonem quem nunc agnoscunt inferre ex more debebunt, dominio firmiter apud eos successoresque eorum et detentatores pari modo permanente.<a 451 d. xv k. febr. constantinopoli marciano a. cons.>
If, however, there are any possessions which, by private grants, at present pay a canon of civil law—whether one never taken away or one imposed afterward—they will not pertain to this order; rather, they shall, according to custom, be bound to pay into the private treasury the canon which they now acknowledge, with ownership firmly remaining with them and with their successors and holders in like manner.<a 451 Jan. 18, at Constantinople, in the consulship of Marcian Augustus.>
Hac in perpetuum valitura lege sancimus et nicaeensium civitati seu habitatoribus eius tam ius exactionis quadringentorum solidorum annui canonis civilis reditus ad suam patriam pertinentis ex possessionibus, id est calamo et heliobomo nec non emptorio variario cum emptio eorum sub territorio apamenae civitatis constitutis, ex nuper lapsa tertia indictione cum ipsa restitui, quam si quid, ex quo sanctio marciani divae memoriae lata est, ad eiusdem civitatis praeiudicium gestum est, infirmari et, quod ex eadem provisione civitatibus delatum interea qualibet occasione imminutum est, ex auctoritate constitutionis nostrae serenitatis isdem civitatibus redhiberi, ita ut neque iudiciaria auctoritas nec imperiale rescriptum, quacumque videlicet adiectione munitum, saepe dictae generalis legis vires possit refringere. quod si quis aliter fecerit, poena gravi plectetur. * zeno a. aeliano pp. *<a 480 ? >
By this law, to be valid in perpetuity, we sanction both that to the city of the Nicaeans, or its inhabitants, the right of exaction of 400 solidi of the annual canon of civil revenue pertaining to their homeland from the holdings—namely, from the calamus and the heliobolus, and also from the emporium variarium, with the purchases thereof established under the territory of the city of Apamea—be restored, from the recently elapsed third Indiction together with the same; and that, if anything since the sanction of Marcian of blessed memory was issued has been done to the prejudice of the same city, it be invalidated; and that what from the same provision was conferred upon the cities, if meanwhile on any occasion it has been diminished, be restored to the same cities by authority of the constitution of our Serenity, such that neither judicial authority nor an imperial rescript, fortified with whatever addendum, can break the force of the oft-said general law. But if anyone shall have done otherwise, he shall be punished with a grave penalty. * Zeno Aug. to Aelianus, P.P. *<a 480 ? >
Fundi rei publicae ab his, qui nec titulo conductionis eos detinent quique meliores cultu patrocinante reddiderunt, ne nostrarum quidem sanctionum ( si forte quispiam per subreptionem meruerit) nutibus auferantur, iuxta legem veterem semel tantum licentia faciendae adiectionis indulta. * grat. valentin.
Let the public estates not be taken away from those who neither hold them by a lease-title and who have rendered them better by the patronage of cultivation, not even at the nods of our sanctions ( if by chance someone has obtained [them] by subreption), permission for making an addition having been granted only once, according to the old law. * grat. valentin.
Loca omnia fundive rei publicae propositis prius licenter edictis dehinc, ubi in eum canonis modum contendentium augmenta succreverint, ut extendi ultra aut superari alterius oblatione non possint, perpetuariis conductoribus locentur. * arcad. et honor.
All places or estates of the republic, after edicts have first been publicly posted with liberty, then—when the increments of the contenders have grown to such a measure of the canon (rent) that they cannot be extended further or surpassed by another’s offer—shall be leased to perpetual lessees. * Arcadius and Honorius.
Praedia domus nostrae, si semel iure perpetuo vel nostra praeceptione vel auctoritate illustris viri comitis aerarii privati apud aliquem fuerint vel iam dudum sunt collocata, ad alium transferri perpetuarium non oportet. * theodos. et valentin.
The estates of our House, if once by perpetual right—whether by our precept or by the authority of the illustrious man, the Count of the Private Treasury—they have been placed with someone, or have long since been so placed, ought not to have the perpetual holding transferred to another. * THEODOSIUS AND VALENTINIAN.
Cui si forte contra perpetuarium vir illustris comes privatarum, dum adlegabitur , adquiescet, et ipse de proprio centum libras auri et alias centum fisci viribus palatinum inferre cogatur officium.< >
To which, if perhaps, contrary to the perpetuarius, the most illustrious man, the Count of the Private Property, when he shall be cited , shall acquiesce, he too shall be compelled to contribute from his own means one hundred pounds of gold, and the palatine office shall be compelled to bring in another one hundred by the resources of the fisc.< >
Iure igitur perpetuo publici contractus firmitate perpetuarius securus sit et intellegat neque a se neque a posteris suis vel his, ad quos ea res vel successione vel donatione sive venditione vel quolibet titulo pervenit sive aliquando pervenerit, esse retrahendam.< >
Therefore, by perpetual right, let the perpetual holder be secure by the firmness of the public contract, and let him understand that neither from himself nor from his descendants, nor from those to whom that thing has come or shall at any time have come by succession or by donation or by sale or by whatever title, is it to be withdrawn.< >
Sane quia non ex omni parte excludenda est largitas principalis, rem divinae domus suae imperator, si velit, donabit ei, qui eam possidet iure perpetuo, sive ipse iam meruit sive cuiuslibet tituli iure successit. videtur enim suam concedere pensionem, non alteri nocere liberalitas, quae possidentem iure perpetuo dominum vult vocari.< >
Indeed, since princely liberality is not to be excluded in every respect, the emperor, if he wills, will donate the property of his divine house to him who possesses it by perpetual right, whether he himself has already merited it or has succeeded by the right of any title whatsoever. For liberality seems to concede its own pension (rent), not to harm another—such liberality as wishes the possessor by perpetual right to be called “owner.”< >
Sane si quis non perpetuo iure, sed ad tempus locatam ab illustri viro comite rerum privatarum possessionem videtur adeptus, non erit obstaculo principali largitati, si voluerit in alterum donatione transferre, quod ad definitum tempus alter forte conduxit.< >
Indeed, if someone appears to have obtained a possession not by a perpetual right, but leased for a time by the illustrious man, the Count of the Private Estates, it will not be an obstacle to the princely largess, if he should wish to transfer by donation to another that which another perhaps hired for a fixed term.< >
Conductores hominesve augustissimae domus nostrae, quotiens de causa ad domum regiam pertinente aliquid quaestionis emerserit, non aliter quam ex legum ordine, quibus similiter omne hominum genus tenetur, vel excipiant vel inferant actiones: nec aliorum litigatorum negotio intercedant nec sententiam iudicantium aut illicito patrocinii sui fomite iura conturbent, nullive exsecutionis suae turbulentum ministerium audeant commodare: non privatis se negotiis, non publicis misceant: nec quiescentem domum delatio ulla sollicitet, ne eos inconsultae pertinaciae sero paeniteat. gravior enim poena constituenda est in hos, qui nostri iuris sunt et nostra debent custodire mandata. * theodos.
The lessees and men of our most august household, whenever any question shall have arisen concerning a matter pertaining to the royal house, shall neither receive nor bring actions otherwise than according to the order of the laws, by which likewise the whole race of men is held; nor shall they intercede in the business of other litigants, nor confound rights either by the judgment of those judging or by the illicit tinder of their own patronage; nor let them dare to lend to anyone the turbulent ministry of their execution: let them not mingle themselves with private business, nor with public; nor let any delation agitate a house at rest, lest too late they repent of ill‑advised pertinacity. For a heavier penalty is to be established against those who are of our jurisdiction and ought to keep our mandates. * Theodosius.
Nullus palatinorum, qui in officio rei privatae nostrae militat, conductoris nomine vel per se vel per quamlibet personam possessionum huiusmodi conducendarum habeat facultatem, cum neque militi neque curiali hoc faciendum permittimus. * arcad. et honor.
Let none of the palatines who serves in the office of our Private Estate (res privata) have the faculty, under the name of a conductor (lessee), either by himself or through any person whatsoever, to lease possessions of this kind, since we permit this to be done neither to a soldier nor to a curial. * Arcadius and Honorius.
Palatinos, qui a viro illustri comite rerum privatarum cum publicis litteris destinantur ad commonitionem iudicis, quo facilius ex praediis rei nostrae conferantur debitae pensiones, cum summa degere praecipimus disciplina. * arcad. et honor.
We command the Palatines, who are dispatched by the most illustrious man, the Count of the Private Estates, with public letters for the admonition of the judge, so that the due pensions may more easily be contributed from the estates of our fisc, to conduct themselves with the highest discipline. * arcad. et honor.
Omnia praedia, tam ea, quae in re privata olim tenentur, quam illa, quae ex proscriptorum bonis ad fiscum sunt devoluta, eatenus ab huiusmodi privilegiis et excusationibus submoveantur, ut omnes species annonarias, cursitationes etiam debitas atque integram opinionem sciant esse solvendam. * arcad. et honor.
Let all estates, both those which are held in the Private Domain and those which have devolved to the Fisc from the goods of the proscribed, be removed from privileges and exemptions of this sort to this extent: that they shall recognize that all annona-species in kind, the courier-services likewise owed, and the entire assessment are to be paid. * Arcadius and Honorius.
Privatas possessiones nostras ab universis muneribus sordidis placet esse immunes, neque earum conductores nec colonos vel ad extraordinaria munera vel superindictiones aliquas conveniri. * constantius a. ad italicum. *<a 343 d. viii k. febr.
It pleases that our private possessions be immune from all sordid munera, and that neither their lessees (conductores) nor their coloni be convened either for extraordinary munera or for any superindictions. * constantius augustus to italicus. *<in the year 343, on the 8th day before the Kalends of February.
Propositis edictis sublimis magnificentiae tuae minimi maximique moneantur, ut sciant singulas auri libras ex propriis facultatibus eruendas pro singulis equis vel equabus sive hermogenianis sive palmatis, nisi eos sponte obtulerint: in his vero, quos ex aliis gregibus occupatos esse constiterit, sex auri uncias fisci viribus inferendas. * arcad. et honor.
With the edicts of your sublime magnificence published, let the least and the greatest be admonished to know that single pounds of gold are to be exacted from their own resources for each horse or mare, whether Hermogenian or palmate, unless they have voluntarily supplied them; but as for those which it shall be established have been seized from other herds, six ounces of gold are to be paid into the fisc’s resources. * Arcadius and Honorius.
Si quis daphnensis luci in syria vel persei in aegypto arborem comparaverit, quinque libris auri noverit se esse multandum: non minore dispendio et illo feriendo, qui vendere arbores ausus fuerit, quas non licet emptoribus comparare. * arcad. et honor.
If anyone has purchased a tree from the Daphnian grove in Syria or a persea in Egypt, let him know that he is to be mulcted five pounds of gold; with no lesser loss is he also to be punished, who shall have dared to sell trees which it is not permitted for buyers to purchase. * arcadius and honorius.
Sed nec alytarcha unam cupressum aliis plantatis excidere sibi licere contendat. ac ne solacio antiquitus ei concesso privari per omnia videatur, pro eo, quod ei cupressum excidere denegatur, unam auri libram eum de privatis nostris largitionibus accipere decernimus: quinque librarum auri condemnatione huius legis temeratore plectendo.< >
But let not even the alytarch contend that it is lawful for him to fell a single cypress, even if others have been planted. And lest he seem in every respect to be deprived of the solace granted to him of old, because he is denied to cut down the cypress, we decree that he is to receive one pound of gold from our private largesses; with a condemnation of five pounds of gold punishing the rash violator of this law.< >