Justinian•CODEX
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LIBER ET INCERTORVM LIBRI3 sections
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Calpurnius Flaccus1 work
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ETYMOLOGIARVM SIVE ORIGINVM LIBRI XX20 sections
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HISTORIARVM PHILIPPICARVM T. POMPEII TROGI LIBRI XLIV IN EPITOMEN REDACTI46 sections
Justinian3 works
INSTITVTIONES5 sections
CODEX12 sections
DIGESTA50 sections
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AB VRBE CONDITA LIBRI37 sections
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HISTORIARUM ADVERSUM PAGANOS LIBRI VII7 sections
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DE MIRABILIBUS MUNDI Mommsen 1st edition (1864)4 sections
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FACTORVM ET DICTORVM MEMORABILIVM LIBRI NOVEM9 sections
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DE LINGVA LATINA7 sections
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AENEID12 sections
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HISTORIA RERUM IN PARTIBUS TRANSMARINIS GESTARUM24 sections
Xylander1 work
Zonaras1 work
CJ.7.70.0. Ne liceat in una eademque causa tertio provocare vel post duas sententias iudicum, quas definitio praefectorum roboraverit, eas retractare.
CJ.7.71.0. Qui bonis cedere possunt.
CJ.7.72.0. De bonis auctoritate iudicis possidendis seu venumdandis et de separationibus.
CJ.7.70.0. That it not be permitted in one and the same cause to appeal a third time, or, after two sentences of the judges which a definition (decree) of the prefects has strengthened, to retract them.
CJ.7.71.0. Who are able to cede their goods.
CJ.7.72.0. Concerning goods to be possessed or sold by authority of the judge, and concerning separations.
Is autem, cui libertas sive fideicommissaria sive directa, si rationes reddidisset, relicta est, ante reliqua illata et ea, quae malo consilio amota sunt, ad libertatem non potest pervenire: sin autem non debitor ex rationibus fuerit repertus, post aditam hereditatem quasi puram libertatem consequitur. <a 215 proposita vii k. dec. laeto ii et cereale conss.>
But he to whom liberty, whether fideicommissary or direct, has been left on condition that he should render accounts, cannot attain to liberty before the remainder has been brought in and those things which by malicious counsel were removed have been restored: but if from the accounts he is found not to be a debtor, after the inheritance has been entered upon he obtains liberty as if pure (unconditional). <a 215 proposed on the 7th day before the Kalends of December, in the consulship of Laetus 2 and Cerealis.>
Si hereditas eius, a quo testamento dicis te esse manumissum, ob aes alienum spernitur ab heredibus, conservandae libertatis gratia non iniusta ratione creditoribus hereditariis satis offerens iudicium testatoris servari tibi postulabis, maxime cum id etiam a divo marco consultissimo principe sit constitutum: quod in extranea quoque persona observari oportet. * gord. a. pisistrato.
If the inheritance of him, by whose testament you say you were manumitted, is spurned by the heirs on account of debt, for the sake of preserving liberty you will petition that the testator’s judgment be observed for you, offering sufficient satisfaction to the hereditary creditors on a not unjust basis, especially since this too has been established by the deified Marcus, a most judicious princeps: which ought to be observed also in the case of an outsider. * gordian augustus to pisistratus.
Cum testator libertatem tempore nuptiarum filii sui vel filiae servo dari iussit , non tempus praestandae libertati praestituit, sed potius condicioni locum fecit, ut non insecutis nuptiis libertas iure posci non possit. * philipp. a. et philipp.
When a testator has ordered that liberty be given to a slave at the time of his son’s or daughter’s nuptials , he has not appointed a time for liberty to be rendered, but rather has given place to a condition, so that, the nuptials not ensuing, liberty cannot be demanded by right. * Philippus the Augustus and Philippus.
Si heredes iure facto testamento sollemniter adierint hereditatem, ex testamento tibi libertas quaesita post colludentibus tam scriptis heredibus quam ab intestato vindicantibus successionem adimi non potuit. * diocl. et maxim.
If the heirs, the testament having been duly made, have solemnly entered upon the inheritance, the liberty sought for you from the testament could not thereafter be taken away by the collusion both of the instituted (written) heirs and of those vindicating the succession ab intestato. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Cum constitutio divi marci declarat, si quis testamento condito vel sine testamento moriens, ut locus fiat ab intestato successioni, libertates reliquerit, nemo autem adire vult defuncti hereditatem eo, quod suspecta esse videtur, et si fuerint libertates forsitan et sine scriptis fideicommissariae relictae, licere vel cuilibet extraneo vel uni ex servis, qui et ipse libertate donatus est et pro sua periclitatur condicione, adire hereditatem sub hac condicione et satisdatione, quod et creditoribus omnibus satisfaciat et libertates imponat his, quibus voluerit testator, variae dubitationes ex hac constitutione emerserunt. * iust. a. iohanni pp. * <a 531 - 532>
Since the constitution of the deified Marcus declares that, if someone, whether having a will made or dying without a will, has left liberties (manumissions) so that room be made for intestate succession, but no one wishes to enter upon the inheritance of the deceased on the ground that it seems suspect, and if perhaps there have also been fideicommissary liberties left even without writings, it is permitted either to any outsider or to one of the slaves—who himself has been gifted with liberty and is in peril on account of his own condition—to enter upon the inheritance under this condition and surety, that he both satisfy all creditors and impose the liberties upon those whom the testator willed; various doubts have arisen from this constitution. * Justinian Augustus to John, praetorian prefect. * <a 531 - 532>
Nam si res hereditariae herede minime invento venierint an et post venditionem earundem rerum possibile est vel servum vel quemlibet alium adire et recuperare quidem ab emptoribus res, satisfacere autem creditoribus et libertatibus, quaerebatur. <a 531 - 532>
For if the hereditary assets, with no heir at all found, have been sold, the question was whether, even after the sale of the same things, it is possible for either a slave or anyone else to enter upon the inheritance and indeed to recover the things from the purchasers, yet to satisfy the creditors and the liberties (manumissions). <a 531 - 532>
Et licet divus severus semel rebus venditis hoc non admisit, nobis tamen ulpiani sententia admonente placuit maxime propter libertates, ne depereant, et post venditionem rerum annale remedium dare divi marci constitutioni, intra quod et creditoribus omnibus satisfiat et emptores nihil novi patiantur, qui annalem saepe sentiebant rescissionem, et licere servo, qui libertate donatus est, vel alii cuidam extraneo vel ante venditionem rerum vel post venditionem, intra annale tamen tempus, adire hereditatem et res recuperare, prius satisdatione danda, ut tam creditoribus quam libertatibus satisfaciat. <a 531 - 532>
And although the deified Severus did not admit this when the goods had once been sold, nevertheless, with the opinion of Ulpian admonishing us, it has pleased us—especially on account of the liberties (manumissions), lest they perish—to grant, after the sale of the goods, an annual remedy in accordance with the constitution of the deified Marcus, within which both all the creditors may be satisfied and the purchasers suffer nothing novel, who were often feeling an annual rescission; and that it be permitted to a slave who has been endowed with liberty, or to some other outsider, either before the sale of the goods or after the sale, yet within the annual time, to enter upon the inheritance and recover the things, surety first being given, so that he may satisfy both the creditors and the liberties. <a 531 - 532>
( 1) sin autem libertatibus quidem omnibus satisfacere quis polliceatur, creditoribus autem non in solidum, sed in partem solvere creditum, illi autem huiusmodi pactionem admiserint, sancimus et in huiusmodi casu consultissimi principis locum habere constitutionem et eum modis omnibus admittendum censemus, maxime cum ex voluntate creditorum hoc interponitur: nolentibus etenim creditoribus admitti talem petitionem nullo concedimus modo. <a 531 - 532>
( 1) But if someone should promise indeed to satisfy all the liberties (manumissions), but to the creditors not in solidum, but to pay the debt in part, and they have admitted such a pact, we ordain that in a case of this kind the constitution of the most judicious emperor has place, and we judge that he is to be admitted in every way, especially since this is interposed by the will of the creditors: for if the creditors are unwilling, we grant in no way that such a petition be admitted. <a 531 - 532>
Si vero quidam ex servis libertatem amplexi fuerint, alii autem censuerint esse respuendam, et in hunc casum extendenda est divi marci oratio et procul dubio et in hac specie audiendus est petitor hereditatis et maneat liberum arbitrium servorum, sive ad libertatem venire volunt sive in servitutem remanere. <a 531 - 532>
But if indeed certain of the slaves have embraced liberty, while others have judged it to be rejected, then the oration of the deified Marcus is to be extended to this case also; and without doubt even in this form the petitioner of the inheritance must be heard; and let the free choice of the slaves remain, whether they wish to come to liberty or to remain in servitude. <a 531 - 532>
Licet enim romanam civitatem recusare nemini servorum licet, tamen in hoc casu, ne propter quorundam indevotionem alii maneant in servitute, volentibus quidem omnibus servis licere in libertatem pervenire, nolentibus autem quibusdam vel recusantibus spontaneam servitutem imminere oportet et, quem patronum habere noluerint, dominum suum, forsitan et acerbum, sentiant. <a 531 - 532>
Although indeed it is permitted to none of the slaves to refuse Roman citizenship, nevertheless in this case, lest on account of the lack of devotion of certain persons others should remain in servitude, it is to be permitted to all the slaves who wish to attain to liberty; but for certain who are unwilling or refuse, it ought to ensue that they incur voluntary servitude, and the man whom they were unwilling to have as patron, let them experience as their lord, perhaps even a harsh one. <a 531 - 532>
Sin vero non omnes libertates adimplere pollicitus fuerit, sed certum numerum servorum ex his, qui ad libertatem venire iussi sunt, melius est, si quidem res hereditariae sufficiunt ad implendos creditores, etiam omnibus servis dare libertatem, etsi hoc non pollicitus est. si autem deest in exsolvendis creditoribus, humanius est, ut saltim pauci veniant ad libertatem. <a 531 - 532>
But if, however, he should not have promised to fulfill all the manumissions, but only a definite number of slaves from those who were ordered to come to liberty, it is better—if indeed the hereditary estate suffices to satisfy the creditors—to grant freedom even to all the slaves, although he did not promise this. But if there is a deficiency in discharging the creditors, it is more humane that at least a few come to liberty. <a 531 - 532>
Sed hoc quidem antiquis dubitationibus remedium invenimus. bellissimam autem repletionem praefatae constitutioni donantes sancimus: si non unus veniat hereditatis petitor, sed plures, si quidem uno momento uterque vel ampliores, omnibus detur licentia communiter hereditatem adire, prius satisdatione ab omnibus danda , ut creditoribus et libertatibus satisfaciant. <a 531 - 532>
But indeed for these ancient doubts we have found a remedy. and, donating a most excellent completion to the aforesaid constitution, we sanction: if not one come as petitioner of the inheritance, but several, if indeed at one moment both or more, let license be given to all to enter upon the inheritance in common, first with a surety to be given by all , so that they may satisfy the creditors and the manumissions. <a 531 - 532>
Sin autem per intervalla temporum hoc fiat, qui primus veniat habeat praerogativam, si etiam satisdationem praestare potest: illo enim cessante hoc facere alii gradatim secundum tempora petitionis succedant. et hoc intra annale tempus observetur. <a 531 - 532>
But if, however, this happens at intervals of time, let the one who comes first have the prerogative, if he can also furnish surety; for, he failing to do so, let others in turn, step by step according to the times of their petition, succeed to do this. And let this be observed within the annual period. <a 531 - 532>
Sin autem uno pollicente quosdam liberos facere, non autem totos, alius emerserit satisdationem paratus idoneam praestare, quod omnibus creditoribus et omnibus libertatibus satisfaciat, aequissimum est eum admitti, ut omnes libertates indistincte celebrentur. quod privilegium damus non solum servo, qui libertate donatus est, sed etiam ei, cui nulla libertas relicta est, ut aliquid venustum eveniat, ut per eum, cui libertas relicta non est, aliis libertas imponatur. <a 531 - 532>
But if, however, with one person promising to make some free but not all, another should emerge ready to furnish an adequate surety which satisfies all creditors and all liberties, it is most equitable that he be admitted, so that all manumissions may be solemnized without distinction. This privilege we grant not only to the slave who has been endowed with liberty, but also to him to whom no liberty has been left, so that something seemly may ensue—namely, that through him to whom no liberty has been left, liberty be conferred upon others. <a 531 - 532>
Sin autem iam rebus servo, qui primus petiit hereditatem, datis et libertatibus ab eo quibusdam servis hereditariis impositis quidam alius servus hereditarius vel liber extraneus hoc facere maluerit, licebit quidem ei hoc impetrare et sub maioribus pollicitationibus et satisdationibus hereditatem accipere: sed prior in libertate petitor maneat, licet res ab eo abstrahantur. his omnibus intra annum secundum quod dictum est celebrandis, ex quo prior petitor iudicem adierit. <a 531 - 532>
But if, after the assets have already been given to the slave who first petitioned for the inheritance, and manumissions have by him been imposed upon certain hereditary slaves, some other hereditary slave or an outside free person should prefer to do this, it shall indeed be permitted for him to obtain this and, under greater pollicitations and surety-bonds, to receive the inheritance: but let the earlier petitioner remain in liberty, although the assets are withdrawn from him. All these matters are to be carried out within a year, according to what has been said, from the time when the first petitioner has approached the judge. <a 531 - 532>
Servorum libertates in testamento relictas tam directas quam fideicommissarias ad exemplum inter vivos libertatum indistincte valere censemus, lege fufia caninia de cetero cessante nec impediente testantium pro suis servis clementes dispositiones effectui mancipari. * iust. a. menae pp. * <a 528 d. k. iun.
We decree that the manumissions of slaves left in a testament, both direct and fideicommissary, shall be valid without distinction, on the model of manumissions inter vivos, the Lex Fufia Caninia henceforth ceasing and not hindering that the clement dispositions of testators for their slaves be carried into effect. * Justinian Augustus to Mena, Praetorian Prefect. * <year 528, on the Kalends of June.
Cum proponas hereditatem eius aditam non esse, a quo tibi fideicommissariam libertatem relictam dicis, et ab intestato alium quam qui scriptus erat hereditatem possedisse, si non a legitimo quoque herede fideicommissaria libertas repetita est, nullo iure praestari eam ab eo qui rogatus non est desideras. * sev. et ant.
Since you allege that the inheritance of the one who, you say, left you a fideicommissary liberty was not entered upon, and that, from intestacy, someone other than the one who had been written (named) as heir possessed the inheritance, if the fideicommissary liberty has not also been sought from the lawful heir, you desire that it be furnished by no right by him who was not asked. * Severus and Antoninus.
Quamvis codicilli, quibus avunculo defunctae legatus esse videaris, falsi pronuntiati sunt, tamen si ante motam criminis quaestionem iustam libertatem es a legatario consecutus, posterior eventus non infirmat ita datam libertatem. plane secundum divi hadriani constitutionem datur heredi viginti aureorum repetitio. * ant.
Although the codicils, by which you appear to have been made legatee by the deceased woman’s maternal uncle, have been pronounced false, nevertheless, if before the criminal inquiry was set in motion you obtained lawful liberty (manumission) from the legatee, the later outcome does not invalidate liberty so given. Clearly, according to the constitution of the deified Hadrian, recovery of twenty aurei is granted to the heir. * ant.
Cum libertatem mulieribus sub condicione datam proponas, quid dubium est eos, qui ex his ante impletam eam eduntur, servos nasci et pertinere ad heredes iure dominii? his enim demum succursum est, qui post moram praestandae libertatis progeniti sunt, ut liberi et ingenui viderentur. * alex.
When you set forth that freedom was given to the women under a condition, what doubt is there that those who are born from them before it has been fulfilled are born slaves and pertain to the heirs by right of ownership? For aid was provided only to those who were begotten after the delay in furnishing the freedom, so that they might be regarded as free and freeborn. * alex.
Si voluntate domini in libertate morata est, cui fideicommissaria libertas debita fuerit, secundum senatus consultum et constitutiones ad id pertinentes civis romana facta ingenuos peperit. sed si numquam ab ea libertas petita est, sibimet imputare debet, cum interea ex ea progeniti servi sint. * alex.
If, with the master’s will, she has remained at liberty, for whom a fideicommissary freedom had been owed, then according to the senate’s decree and the constitutions pertaining to that, having been made a Roman citizen she has borne freeborn children. But if freedom was never sought for her, she must impute it to herself, since meanwhile those born from her are slaves. * alex.
Deberi etiam alienae ancillae fideicommissariam libertatem placuit: nec deficit hoc debitum, si interim domina, si modo nihil ex iudicio eius, qui quaeve reliquit libertatem, percepit, noluit vendere, quia possit tempore procedente, ubicumque occasio redimendae ancillae fuerit, praestari libertas. * alex. a. maximo.
It has been decided that fideicommissary freedom is owed even to another’s handmaid; nor does this debt fail if in the meantime the mistress—provided that she received nothing by the judgment of the one, whether man or woman, who left the freedom—was unwilling to sell, because as time goes on, wherever there is an occasion to redeem the handmaid, the freedom can be furnished. * Alexander Augustus to Maximus.
Cum proponas fideicommissariam libertatem ita tibi datam, si uxori testatoris placuisset, licet non adeunte hereditatem ad filium solida hereditas pertinere coepit, non refragante tamen uxore testatoris potes petere libertatem. * alex. a. eutycheti.
When you set forth that a fideicommissary liberty was thus given to you, if it should have pleased the testator’s wife, although, the inheritance not being entered upon, the entire inheritance began to pertain to the son, nevertheless, the testator’s wife not gainsaying, you can petition for liberty. * Alexander Augustus to Eutychetus.
Fideicommissaria quidem libertas ita tibi relicta, cum testatoris filius ad annum vigensimum quintum pervenisset, non intercidit, licet heredem intra praestitutam aetatem decessisse proponas: tempore quippe, quo, si viveret, praefinitam aetatem impleturus foret, spem libertatis non intercidere vetus placitum est. * alex. a. mercuriali.
The fideicommissary freedom, indeed, left to you on the condition that, when the testator’s son had reached the age of twenty-five, it would take effect, does not lapse, although you allege that the heir died within the appointed age: for at the time at which, if he were alive, he would have completed the prescribed age, it is an old ruling that the hope of liberty does not lapse. * alexander augustus to mercurialis.
Et si non suum proprium, sed alienum servum condicionem eius sciens tutorem adscripserit, aeque fideicommissariam libertatem datam, nisi aliud evidenter defunctum sensisse appareat, prudentibus placuit. <a 260 pp. iii k. mart. saeculare et donato conss.>
And if he has assigned as tutor not his own slave but another’s slave, knowing his condition, it has pleased the jurists that fideicommissary freedom is given equally, unless it should appear evident that the deceased felt otherwise. <in the year 260, on the 3rd day before the Kalends of March, in the consulship of Saecularis and Donatus.>
Quapropter si verbis precariis constitutus servus libertatem accepisti, adiri praeses provinciae oportet, ut causa cognita, si tibi deberi libertatem perspexerit, ad manumittendum eum qui debet urgueat vel, si latitet, contra latitantem interposito decreto tibi prospiciat. < sine die et conss.>
Wherefore, if, a slave constituted by precatory words, you have received liberty, the governor of the province ought to be approached, so that, the case having been examined, if he shall have perceived that liberty is owed to you, he may urge the one who owes (it) to manumit, or, if he skulks, may provide for you against the skulker by an interposed decree. < without day and consuls.>
Si te, donatam ante matrimonium uxori suae, post ei legato relicto manumitti testamento seu codicillis verbis precariis a successoribus voluit, tam hos ad redemptionem et manumissionem quam eam, quae in capiendis relictis defuncti consensit iudicio, teneri tibique fideicommissariam debere libertatem non ambigitur. * diocl. et maxim.
If he, you having been given before marriage to his wife, afterwards, with a legacy left to her, wished in his testament or codicils, by precatory words, that you be manumitted by the successors, it is not in doubt that both these are bound to redemption and manumission, and also her who consented in court to the taking of the deceased’s bequests, and that a fideicommissary liberty is owed to you. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Cum inter veteres dubitabatur, si fideicommissariam libertatem possibile esset relinqui servo, qui adhuc in ventre portaretur et homo fieri speraretur, nos vetus iurgium decidentes libertatis favore censemus et fideicommissariam nec non directam libertatem suam firmitatem habere sive in masculo sive in femina, quae adhuc in ventre vehatur materno, ut cum libertate solem respiciat, etsi mater sua adhuc in servitute constans eum vel eam ediderit. * iust. a. iuliano pp. * <a 530 d. k. oct.
When among the ancients it was doubted whether it were possible for fideicommissary liberty to be left to a slave who was still being carried in the womb and was hoped to become a human being, we, cutting off the old quarrel in favor of liberty, decree that both fideicommissary and also direct liberty have their own firmness, whether in a male or in a female who is still borne in the maternal womb, so that he or she may behold the sun with liberty, even if his or her mother, still remaining in servitude, has brought him or her forth. * Justinian Augustus to Julian, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 530 on the Kalends of October.
Sin autem plures creati vel creatae sint, sive unius fecit mentionem sive pluraliter nuncupavit, nihilo minus omnes ad libertatem ad prima veniant cunabula, cum in ambiguis sensibus melius est, et maxime in libertate, favore eius humaniorem amplecti sententiam. <a 530 d. k. oct. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
But if more have been created, whether male or female, whether he made mention of one or named them in the plural, nonetheless let all come to freedom, to their first cradles, since in ambiguous senses it is better, and especially in the case of liberty, to embrace the more humane opinion in its favor. <a 530 on the Kalends of October, at Constantinople, Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
Ancillam seu servum, cum fideicommissaria libertas eis relicta sit, sancimus, si mora a debitore libertatis facta fuerit, sententia praesidis eripi ad libertatem et nullo facto aut voluntate ab herede expectanda, sed talem habere eos libertatem, quasi ab ipso testatore directis verbis fuerint libertatem consecuti, cum satis impium atque absurdum est heredes testatoris differre voluntates, maxime cum ad libertatem respiciant. * iust. a. iuliano pp. * <a 530 d. k. oct.
We decree that a handmaid or a slave, when a fideicommissary liberty has been left to them, if delay has been made by the debtor of the liberty, be snatched to freedom by the sentence of the governor, and that no act or will from the heir be awaited, but that they have such liberty as if by direct words from the testator himself they had obtained liberty, since it is quite impious and absurd for the heirs of the testator to defer his intentions, especially when they look toward liberty. * Justinian Augustus to Julianus, Praetorian Prefect. * <on the day before the Kalends of October, 530.
Si quis in suo testamento rogaverit suum heredem ex liberis ancillae suae quam nominaverit unum quem elegerit ad libertatem perducere et, cum ancilla unum vel plures enixa est, heres neque dum superest in libertatem aliquem adduxerit vel, cum deliberat, quis ad libertatem producendus est, ab hac luce fuerit subtractus : dubitabatur ab antiquis, utrumne omnes an quidam aut nemo ex his ad libertatem perveniant. sed veteris quidem iuris altercatio multa sibi super huiusmodi casibus resonavit. * iust.
If anyone in his testament should request his heir to lead to liberty, from the children of his slave-woman whom he has named, one whom he shall have chosen, and, when the slave-woman has brought forth one or more, the heir, either, while he still survives, has brought no one into liberty, or, while he is deliberating who is to be brought to liberty, has been removed from this light: it was doubted by the ancients whether all or some or none of these attain to liberty. But indeed the altercation of the old law resounded much about cases of this sort. * Just.
Nos autem heredis malignitatem coercentes, si non voluntatem testatoris adimpleverit et mox, cum potuerit, non elegerit unum ex liberis ancillae et eum libertate donaverit, sancimus compelli non solum eum, sed etiam heredes vel successores eius omnes ancillae liberos in libertatem producere. <a 530 d. xv k. dec. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
But we, restraining the heir’s malignity, if he shall not have fulfilled the will of the testator and, soon, when he could, shall not have chosen one of the maidservant’s children and granted him liberty, we ordain that not only he, but also his heirs or successors, be compelled to bring all the maidservant’s children into freedom. <a 530, on the 15th day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
Neque enim hoc contrarium est sententiae testatoris: cum enim omnimodo quendam ex his liberum esse disposuit et non ad certum corpus, sed ad omnes respexit, si non paretur eius voluntati, sine dubio ex sententia testatoris omnes ad libertatem perveniunt. <a 530 d. xv k. dec. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
For neither is this contrary to the intention of the testator: for since he in every way provided that one from among these be free, and looked not to a certain individual, but to all, if his will is not obeyed, without doubt, by the intention of the testator, all arrive at freedom. <a 530, day 15 before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
Similemque esse definitionem censemus, et si non ab herede, sed a legatario vel fideicommissario testator rogaverit libertatem imponi. <a 530 d. xv k. dec. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
And we deem the definition to be similar, even if the testator has requested that liberty be imposed not by the heir, but by a legatee or fideicommissary. <at Constantinople, on the fifteenth day before the Kalends of December, in the year 530, when Lampadius and Orestes, most illustrious men, were consuls.>
Sic etenim iusto timore heredes vel legatarii vel fideicommissarii perterriti et voluntatem testatoris adimplere procurent et sibi non ex omnium libertate quandam adferri patiantur iacturam. quod si reclamaverint, sibi tale dispendium imputent, non ex nostra lege, sed ex sua lugentes instantia. <a 530 d. xv k. dec.
Thus indeed, by just fear let heirs or legatees or fideicommissaries, being terrified, endeavor to fulfill the will of the testator and not allow that a certain loss be brought upon themselves from the liberty of all. But if they protest, let them impute such an expense to themselves, mourning not on account of our law, but on account of their own insistence. <a 530 d. xv k. dec.
Cum quidam servum suum ita legavit, ut legatarius libertatem ei imponat, et heres ad huiusmodi legatum improbe versatus servum dare legatario designatus est, ut etiam lite pulsetur, et iudex non in ipsum servum, sed in aestimationem litis condemnationem proferat: veteris iuris interpretes dubitabant, ne quid obstaculum libertati ex hac causa procedat et, si placuerit eandem deberi libertatem, a quo danda est utrumne ab herede an a legatario, et si heres imponat libertatem, an legatarius, quod ex pecuniaria condemnatione accepit, firmiter detinet sive totum sive ex parte sive etiam nihil. * iust. a. iuliano pp. * <a 530 d. constantinopoli xv k. dec.
Since someone bequeathed his slave in such a way that the legatee should impose liberty upon him, and the heir, having behaved improperly with respect to a legacy of this kind, was designated to give the slave to the legatee so that he is even pursued with a suit, and the judge issues a condemnation not upon the slave himself but for the valuation of the suit: the interpreters of the old law used to doubt, lest any obstacle to the liberty should arise from this cause; and, if it is decided that the same liberty is owed, by whom it is to be given—whether by the heir or by the legatee; and, if the heir imposes the liberty, whether the legatee firmly retains what he received from the pecuniary condemnation, whether the whole or in part or even nothing. * Justinian Augustus to Julianus, Praetorian Prefect. * <in the year 530, at Constantinople, on the 15th day before the Kalends of December.
Talem itaque altercationem resecantes miramur, quare iudex, qui praepositus est in praedicta causa, non omnimodo condemnationem in servum, sed in aestimationem eius fecerat, cum ipsius vitium etiam huiusmodi altercationi praebuit occasionem. <a 530 d. constantinopoli xv k. dec. lampadio et oreste vv. cc.Conss.>
Thus, cutting off such an altercation, we marvel why the judge, who has been set over the aforesaid case, made not an outright condemnation upon the slave, but only a valuation of him, since his own fault even furnished the occasion for an altercation of this kind. <a in the year 530, at Constantinople, on the 15th day before the Kalends of December, Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
Unde si talis quaestio emerserit, nullum quidem iudicem ita esse stultum putamus , ut huiusmodi proferat condemnationem, sed si legatarius immineat, quatenus ei servus restituatur, et post litem contestatam duorum mensum spatium effluxerit, censemus ilico ad libertatem eripi servum, et illum quidem liberum esse, heredem autem pro sua indevotione omnes expensas, quas legatarius in litem fecit, in quadruplum ei condemnari, iure patronatus integro legatario servando. <a 530 d. constantinopoli xv k. dec. lampadio et oreste vv. cc.Conss.>
Whence, if such a question should emerge, we think no judge to be so foolish, as to pronounce a condemnation of this sort; but if the legatee should press, to the extent that the slave be restored to him, and after the suit has been joined a span of two months shall have elapsed, we decree that the slave be immediately snatched to liberty, and that he indeed be free, but that the heir, on account of his lack of devotion, be condemned to him in quadruple for all the expenses which the legatee expended in the suit, with the right of patronage preserved entire to the legatee. <a 530, at Constantinople, 15 days before the Kalends of December, Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
Dediticia condicio nullo modo in posterum nostram rem publicam molestare concedatur, sed sit penitus delata, quia nec in usu esse reperimus, sed vanum nomen huiusmodi libertatis circumducitur. nos enim, qui veritatem colimus, ea tantummodo volumus in nostris esse legibus, quae re ipsa obtinent. * iust.
Let the deditician condition by no means hereafter be allowed to molest our commonwealth, but let it be entirely abolished, because we have found it not to be in use, but the empty name of a “freedom” of this sort is bandied about. For we, who cultivate truth, wish only those things to be in our laws which obtain in reality. * iust.
Cum dediticii liberti iam sublati sunt, quapropter imperfecta latinorum libertas incertis vestigiis titubans et quasi per saturam inducta adhuc remanet et non inutilis quidem pars eius deminuitur, quod autem ex ipsa rationabile est, hoc in ius perfectum deducitur? * iust. a. iohanni pp. * <a 531 d. k. nov.
Since the deditician freedmen have now been abolished, wherefore the imperfect liberty of the Latins, stumbling with uncertain footsteps and, as it were, introduced wholesale, still remains; and indeed a not useless part of it is diminished, but what from it is reasonable, this is brought into perfected law? * Justinian Augustus to John, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 531 on the Kalends of Nov.
Cum enim latini liberti ad similitudinem antiquae latinitatis, quae in coloniis missa est, videntur esse introducti, ex qua nihil aliud rei publicae nisi bellum accessit civile, satis absurdum est ipsa origine rei sublata imaginem eius derelinqui. <a 531 d. k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Since the Latin freedmen seem to have been introduced in imitation of the ancient Latinity which was conferred upon the colonies, from which nothing else accrued to the commonwealth except civil war, it is quite absurd that, with the very origin of the matter removed, its image be left behind. <in the year 531, on the Kalends of November, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Cum igitur multis modis et paene innumerabilibus latinorum introducta est condicio et leges diversae et senatus consulta introducta sunt et ex his difficultates maximae emergebant tam ex lege iunia quam ex largiano senatus consulto nec non ex edicto divi traiani, quorum plenae quidem fuerant nostrae leges, non autem in rebus fuerat eorum experimentum: studiosissimum nobis visum est haec quidem omnia et latinam libertatem resecare, certos autem modus eligere, ex quibus antea quidem latina competebat libertas, in praesenti autem romana defertur condicio, ut his praesenti lege enumeratis et cives romanos nascentibus ceteri omnes modi, per quos latinorum nomen inducebatur, penitus conquiescant et non latinos pariant, sed ut pro nullis habeantur. <a 531 d. k. nov. constantinopoli post con sulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Since therefore in many ways and almost innumerably the condition of the Latini was introduced, and diverse laws and senatus consulta were introduced, and from these the greatest difficulties were arising both from the Lex Junia and from the Largian senatus consultum and likewise from the edict of the deified Trajan—wherewith indeed our laws had been filled, but in actual affairs there had been no experience of them—it seemed to us most zealous to cut away all these things and Latin freedom, but to choose certain modes, from which formerly indeed Latin liberty obtained, whereas at present the Roman condition is conferred, so that, upon these being enumerated in the present law and Roman citizens arising therefrom, all the other modes, through which the name of the Latini was introduced, may utterly cease and may not produce Latini, but be held as none. <a 531 d. k. nov. constantinopoli post con sulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Quis enim patiatur talem esse libertatem, ex qua in ipso tempore mortis in eandem personam simul et libertas et servitium concurrunt et, qui quasi liber moratus est, eripitur non tantum in mortem, sed etiam in servitutem? <a 531 d. k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
For who would endure that there be such a liberty, from which, at the very moment of death, in the same person liberty and servitude simultaneously concur, and he who has behaved as if free is snatched away not only into death, but also into servitude? <a 531, on the Kalends of November, at Constantinople, after the consulate of Lampadius and Orestes, most illustrious men.>
Sancimus itaque, si quis per epistulam servum suum in libertatem producere maluerit, licere ei hoc facere quinque testibus adhibitis, qui post eius litteras sive in subscriptione positas sive per totum textum effusas suas litteras supponentes fidem perpetuam possint chartulae praebere. et si hoc fecerit, sive per scribendo sive per tabularium, libertas servo competat quasi ex imitatione codicilli delata, ita tamen, ut et ipso patrono vivente et libertatem et civitatem habeat romanam. <a 531 d. k. nov.
We sanction, therefore, that, if anyone should prefer to bring his slave into liberty by an epistle, it be permitted him to do this with five witnesses employed, who, after his letter—whether placed in the subscription or spread through the whole text—by subjoining their own signatures can provide perpetual credence to the document. And if he does this, whether by writing or through the record‑office, liberty shall accrue to the slave as though conferred by imitation of a codicil, provided, however, that even while the patron himself lives he have both liberty and Roman citizenship. <a 531 d. k. nov.
Sed et si quis inter amicos libertatem dare suo servo maluerit, licebit ei quinque similiter testibus adhibitis suam explanare voluntatem et quod liberum eum esse voluit dicere: et hoc sive inter acta fuerit testificatus sive testium voces attestationem sunt amplexae et litteras tam publicarum personarum quam testium habeant, simili modo servi ad civitatem producantur romanam quasi ex codicillis similiter libertatem adipiscentes. <a 531 d. k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
But also, if anyone should prefer among friends to give liberty to his own slave, it shall be permitted to him, with five witnesses likewise adhibited, to explain his will and to declare that he wished him to be free: and whether he has borne witness among the public records, or the voices of the witnesses have embraced an attestation and there are letters both of public persons and of the witnesses, in a similar manner let the slaves be produced to the Roman civitas, as if from codicils likewise acquiring liberty. <a 531 d. k. Nov. Constantinopoli post consulatum Lampadii et Orestis vv. cc.>
Sed scimus etiam hoc esse in antiqua latinitate ex edicto divi claudii introductum, quod, si quis servum suum aegritudine periclitantem sua domo publice eiecerit neque ipse eum procurans neque alii eum commendans, cum erat ei libera facultas, si non ipse ad eius curam sufficeret, in xenonem eum mittere vel quo poterat modo eum adiuvare, huiusmodi servus in libertate latina antea morabatur et, quem ille moriendum dereliquit, eius bona iterum, cum moreretur, accipiebat. <a 531 d. k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
But we also know this to exist in ancient Latinity, introduced by an edict of the deified Claudius: that, if anyone has publicly ejected his slave, endangered by sickness, from his own house, neither himself procuring for him nor commending him to others—although he had free ability, if he himself were not sufficient for his care, to send him into a xenon (a hospice/guest-house), or to help him in whatever way he could—a slave of this sort formerly remained in Latin liberty; and the master, who had left him to die, upon the slave’s dying, would receive his goods back again. <at Constantinople, on the Kalends of November, 531, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men>
Talis itaque servus libertate necessaria a domino et nolente re ipsa donatus fiat ilico civis romanus nec aditus in iura patronatus quondam domino reservetur. quem enim a sua domo suaque familia publice reppulit neque ipse eum procurans neque alii commendans neque in venerabilem xenonem eum mittens neque consueta ei praebens salaria, maneat ab eo eiusque substantia undique segregatus tam in omni tempore vitae liberti quam cum moriatur nec non postquam iam fuerit in fata sua concessus. <a 531 d. k. nov.
Thus, let such a slave, having been endowed with necessary liberty by the master—even though in the very reality he is unwilling—become at once a Roman citizen, nor let access to the rights of patronage be reserved to the former master. For the one whom he has publicly driven away from his own house and household, neither himself caring for him nor commending him to others nor sending him into the venerable xenon nor providing him the customary allowances, let him remain wholly segregated from him and from his estate on every side, both through all the time of the freedman’s life and when he dies, and likewise after he has already departed to his fates. <a 531 d. k. nov.
Similique modo si quis ancillam suam sub hac condicione alienaverit, ne prostituatur, novus autem dominus impia mercatione eam prostituendam esse temptaverit, vel si pristinus dominus manus iniectionem in tali alienatione sibi servaverit et, cum ad eum fuerit reversa, ipse ancillam prostituerit, ilico in libertatem romanam eripiatur et, qui eam prostituerit, ab omni patronatus iure repellatur. qui enim ita degener et impius constitutus est, ut talem exerceret mercationem, quomodo dignus est vel ancillam vel libertam eam habere? <a 531 d. k. nov.
In a similar manner, if anyone has alienated his maidservant under this condition, that she not be prostituted, but the new master by impious trafficking has attempted to have her prostituted, or if the former master has reserved to himself the right of manus-injection in such an alienation and, when she has returned to him, he himself has prostituted the maidservant, immediately she shall be snatched into Roman liberty, and he who has prostituted her shall be repelled from every right of patronage. For one who is thus degenerate and impious as to exercise such a traffick, how is he worthy to have her either as a maidservant or as a freedwoman? <in the year 531, on the Kalends of November.
Sed et qui domini funus pileati antecedunt vel in ipso lectulo stantes cadaver ventilare videntur, si hoc ex voluntate fiat vel testatoris vel heredis, fiant ilico cives romani. et ne quis vana liberalitate iactare se concedatur, ut populus quidem eum quasi humanum respiciat multos pileatos in funus procedentes adspiciens, omnibus autem deceptis maneant illi in pristina servitute publico testimonio defraudati: fiant itaque et hi cives romani, iure tamen patronatus patronis integro servando. <a 531 d. k. nov.
But also those who, wearing the cap (pileus), go before their master’s funeral, or who, standing upon the very bier, seem to ventilate the cadaver, if this is done by the will either of the testator or of the heir, let them become Roman citizens straightway. And lest it be permitted that anyone vaunt himself with empty liberality—so that the populace, seeing many cap-wearers proceeding to the funeral, regards him as humane, while all are deceived and those men remain in their former servitude, defrauded of public testimony—therefore let these too become Roman citizens, yet with the right of patronage preserved unimpaired to the patrons. <a 531 d. k. nov.
Illo procul dubio observando, ut, si quis sive in testamento sive vindicta quendam manumiserit, licet hoc dixerit vel scripserit, quod voluerit esse latinum, supervacua adiectio latinitatis aboleatur et fiat civis romanus, ne modi, qui ab antiqua observatione in civitatem romanam homines producebant, per privatorum voluntates deminui videantur. <a 531 d. k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
With this to be observed beyond doubt: that, if anyone should manumit someone either in a testament or by vindicta, even if he has said or written this—that he wished him to be a Latin—the superfluous addition of Latinity shall be abolished and he shall become a Roman citizen, lest the modes which, by ancient observance, used to bring men into the Roman citizenship seem to be diminished by the volitions of private persons. <a 531 on the Kalends of November, at constantinople, after the consulship of lampadius and orestes, most distinguished men.>
Sed et si sub condicione quidam libertatem suo servo reliquerit et a huc pendente condicione extraneus heres libertatem ei imposuerit, non ut antea latinus, sed civis fiat romanus. et si quidem condicio defecerit, ipsius heredis, qui libertatem imposuit, maneat libertus. sin autem fuerit adimpleta, ne eripiatur forsitan liberis et cognatis ius patronatus, orcinus libertus videatur et ad eum iura patronatus perveniant, cui leges concedunt.
But also, if someone has left liberty to his slave under a condition, and, while that condition is pending, a stranger heir has imposed liberty upon him, let him become not, as before, a Latin, but a Roman citizen. And if indeed the condition should fail, let him remain the freedman of that heir who imposed the liberty; but if it shall have been fulfilled, lest perhaps the right of patronage be snatched from the children and the cognates, let him be deemed an orcinus freedman, and let the rights of patronage come to him to whom the laws grant them.
Illud etiam satis acerbum nobis visum est, quod putabat antiquitas, si in liberali iudicio superatus fuerat servus a domino, deinde servi pretium ab aliquo ei solutum est, in latinitate eum remorari. quemadmodum enim rationabile est et pretio eum perfrui et mortis liberti tempore denuo eum in servitutem deducere, cum non sint ambo casus sibi consentanei? et in praesenti igitur casu libertas romana ei accedat iure patronatus minime subnixa, quia ipse quodammodo sibi libertus invenitur.
That too seemed to us quite bitter, that antiquity thought that, if in a suit for liberty a slave had been overcome by his master, and then the price of the slave was paid to him by someone, he should linger in Latinity. For how is it rational both to enjoy the price and, at the time of the freedman’s death, to lead him back again into servitude, since the two cases are not consonant with each other? Therefore in the present case Roman liberty should accrue to him, in no way propped up by a right of patronage, because he is found, in a certain way, to be a freedman to himself.
Sed et si quis homini libero suam ancillam in matrimonio collocaverit et dotem pro ea conscripserit, quod solitum est in liberis personis solis procedere, ancilla non latina, sed civis efficiatur romana. si enim hoc, quod frequentissime in cives romanas et maxime in nobiles personas fieri solet, id est dotalis instrumenti conscriptio, et in hac persona adhibita est, necessarium est consentaneum effectum huiusmodi scripturae observari. <a 531 d. k. nov.
But also, if anyone has placed his own maidservant in marriage with a free man and has drawn up a dowry for her—which is accustomed to proceed only in the case of free persons—let the maidservant be made not a Latin, but a Roman citizen. For if this—which is most frequently accustomed to be done for Roman women and especially for noble persons, that is, the drawing up of a dotal instrument—has also been applied in this person, it is necessary that a consistent effect of such a writing be observed. <a 531 d. k. nov.
Similique modo si dominus inter acta quendam servum filium suum nominaverit, voci eius quantum ad liberam condicionem credendum est. si enim ipse tali adfectione fuerat accensus, ut etiam filium servum suum nominare non indignetur, et hoc non secreto neque inter solos amicos, sed etiam actis intervenientibus et quasi in iudicii figura nominaverit, quomodo potest eum servum iterum saltem morientem habere? sed producatur et ipse in civitatem romanam, vera liberalitate et non falso sermone domini sui sustentatus.
In a like manner, if the master, in the course of the acts, has named a certain slave his son, his voice is to be believed so far as concerns free status. For if he himself was kindled with such an affection as not to disdain even to call his slave his son—and did this not in secret nor only among friends, but also with the records intervening and, as it were, in the figure of a judgment—how can he have him as a slave again, even when he is dying? Rather, let he himself also be brought forward into the Roman citizenship, upheld by true liberality and not by the false speech of his master.
Sed ne furandi occasio servis forsitan detur et sua malignitate in libertatem perveniant, talis modus certa et indubitata probatione manifestetur, ut testibus praesentibus non minus quinque dominus instrumenta vel det famulo suo vel deleat aut alio modo corrumpat. et ex eo igitur modo civitatem romanam ei competere censemus, salvo iure patronatus tam in hac specie quam in ceteris, nisi ubi specialiter hoc patronis denegavimus. <a 531 d. k. nov.
But lest perhaps an occasion for stealing be afforded to slaves and they, by their own malignity, attain to freedom, let such a method be manifested by certain and indubitable proof, namely, that, with witnesses present not fewer than five, the master either gives the documents to his slave or erases them, or corrupts them in some other way. And from that method, therefore, we deem that Roman citizenship belongs to him, saving the right of patronage both in this species and in the others, except where we have specially denied this to patrons. <a 531 d. k. nov.
His tantummodo casibus ex omni iure antiquae latinitatis electis ceteri omnes, qui in libris prudentium vel constitutionibus enumerati sunt, penitus conquiescant nec latini ab eis procedant, sed maneant, ut dictum est, servi in sua condicione nec tali remedio abuti concedantur. <a 531 d. k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
With only these cases chosen from the whole law of the ancient Latinity, let all the others, which are enumerated in the books of the jurists or in the constitutions, be utterly at rest, and let no Latins proceed from them; but let them, as has been said, remain slaves in their condition, nor be permitted to abuse such a remedy. <a 531, on the Kalends of November, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Et ne in posterum aliquod ius latinae libertatis nostris legibus incurrat, lex iunia taceat largiano senatus consulto cessante, sileat edictum divi traiani, quod ea sequebatur, et si qua alia lex vel senatus consultum vel etiam constitutio loquitur de latinis, ea inefficax quantum in eam partem remaneat et triplex antea via libertatis, quae multiplices itroducebat ambages, uno directo tramite discat ambulare. quod si aliqua lex vel constitutio libertatis faciet mentionem, non autem latinitatis, ea pro civitate romana loqui intellegatur. <a 531 d. k. nov.
And lest hereafter any right of Latin liberty occur under our laws, let the Junian Law be silent, the Largian senatorial decree ceasing; let the edict of the deified Trajan, which followed it, be silent; and if any other law or senatorial decree or even constitution speaks about Latins, let it remain ineffective so far as concerns that part, and let the triple path of liberty, which previously was introducing manifold windings, learn to walk by one straight course. But if some law or constitution will make mention of liberty, but not of Latinity, let it be understood to speak for Roman citizenship. <a 531 d. k. nov.
Sed si quidem liberti iam mortui sunt, et bona eorum quasi latinorum his quorum intereat adgregata sunt, vel adhuc vivunt, nihil ex hac lege innovetur, sed maneant apud eos iure antiquo firmiter detenta et vindicanda. in futuris autem libertis praesens constitutio locum sibi vindicet. <a 531 d. k. nov.
But if indeed the freedmen have already died, and their goods, as if of Latins, have been aggregated to those whom it concerns, or they are still living, let nothing be altered under this law, but let them remain with those persons, firmly held and to be vindicated by ancient law. But for future freedmen, let the present constitution claim place for itself. <a 531 on the Kalends of November.
In communes servos eorumque libertatem et quando cuidam domino pars libertatem imponentis adcrescit nec ne, et maxime inter milites, qui huiusmodi imponunt libertatem, multa ambiguitas exorta est apud veteres iuris auctores. * iust. a. iuliano pp. * <a 530 d. k. aug.
Concerning common slaves and their liberty, and as to when the share of the one imposing liberty accrues to a certain master or not, and especially among soldiers who impose liberty of this kind, much ambiguity arose among the ancient authorities of the law. * Justinian Augustus to Julianus, praetorian prefect. * <a 530 the day before the Kalends of August.
Et inventa est constitutio apud marcianum in institutionibus divi severi, per quam idem imperator disposuit necessitatem imponi heredi militis comparare partem socii et servum libertate donare. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
And a constitution was found by Marcian in the Institutes of the divine Severus, by which the same emperor ordained that necessity be imposed on the heir of a soldier to purchase the partner’s share and to grant the slave liberty. <in the year 530, on the Kalends of August, Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
Sed et alia constitutio severi et antonini principum reperta est, ex qua generaliter necessitas imponebatur socio partem suam socio vendere, quatenus libertas servo imponatur, licet nihil lucri ex substantia socii morientis alii socio accedat, pretio videlicet arbitrio praetoris constituendo, secundum ea, quae et ulpianus libro sexto fideicommissorum et paulus libro tertio fideicommissorum refert, ubi et hoc relatum est, quod sextus caecilius iuris antiqui conditor definivit socium per praetorem compelli suam partem vendere, quatenus liber servus efficiatur: quod et Marcellus apud iulianum in eius digestis notat: hocque et Marcellum, cum iulianum notaret, rettulisse palam est. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
But another constitution of the princes Severus and Antoninus has also been found, from which, in general, a necessity was imposed upon a partner to sell his own share to his fellow partner, to the extent that liberty might be imposed upon the slave, although no profit from the substance of the dying partner accrues to the other partner, the price, namely, to be set by the discretion of the praetor, according to those things which both Ulpian in the sixth book On Fideicommissa and Paulus in the third book On Fideicommissa report, where this too is related: that Sextus Caecilius, a framer of the ancient law, determined that a partner can be compelled through the praetor to sell his share, in order that the slave may be made free; which also Marcellus notes with Julian in his Digests; and it is clear that Marcellus also, when annotating Julian, reported this. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
His itaque apud veteres iuris auctores inventis decidentes tales altercationes generaliter sancimus, ut nulla inducatur differentia militis seu privati in servis communibus, sed in omnibus communibus famulis, sive inter vivos sive in ultima dispositione libertatem quis legitimam imponere communi servo voluerit, hoc faciat, necessitatem habente socio vendere partem suam, quantam in servo possidet, sive dimidiam sive tertiam sive quantamcunque, et si plures sint socii, uno ex his libertatem imponere cupiente alios omnes necessitatem habere partes suas, quas in servo possident, vendere ipsi, qui libertatem servo imponere desiderat, vel heredi eius ( licet ipse communis servus institutus sit), si hoc moriturus dixerit, ita tamen, ut omnimodo ipse qui partes alias comparavit vel heredes ei us libertatem imponant. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
Therefore, with these determinations having been found among the ancient jurists, settling such altercations, we generally sanction that no distinction be introduced between soldier and private person in common slaves; but that, in all common servants, whether by an act inter vivos or in the last disposition, if anyone should wish to impose legitimate liberty upon a common slave, he may do this, the partner being under necessity to sell his share, as much as he possesses in the slave, whether a half or a third or whatever; and if there are several partners, when one of them desires to impose liberty, all the others have the necessity to sell their shares, which they possess in the slave, to the very one who desires to impose liberty upon the slave, or to his heir ( even if the common slave himself has been instituted as heir), if the man about to die has said this, provided, however, that in every way he who has bought the other shares, or his heirs, impose liberty. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
Sin autem socius vel socii recusaverint pretium accipere, licentiam ei damus offerre hoc per publicas personas et sigillo impresso in aedem sacram deponere et sic habere facultatem servum libertate donare et eum habere plenissimam libertatem et civitate romana perfrui et nullum timere ex sociis. sibi etenim imputent, si, cum liceret lucrari pretium, hoc accipere differunt. <a 530 d. k. aug.
But if, however, the partner or partners shall have refused to accept the price, we grant him license to tender this through public officials and, with a seal impressed, to deposit it in a sacred edifice; and thus to have the faculty to present the slave with liberty, and to have him possess most complete liberty and enjoy Roman citizenship, and to fear none of the partners. Indeed, let them impute it to themselves if, when it was permitted to profit by the price, they defer to accept this. <a 530 d. k. aug.
Sed ne circa peculium servi aliqua fuerit dubitatio, peculium eius in omnes socios pertinere iubemus ex partibus, pro quibus quisque et dominium servi possidet : licentia concedenda ei, qui libertatem moriens imponit, etiam eius peculium quod ei attingit liberto concedere. iura autem patronatus procul dubio pro suo ordine ad eum venire qui libertatem donavit. <a 530 d. k. aug.
But lest there be any doubt concerning a slave’s peculium, we order that his peculium belong to all the partners in the shares in respect of which each one also possesses dominion over the slave : permission is to be granted to the one who, when dying, imposes freedom, to grant even that portion of his peculium which pertains to him to the freedman. the rights of patronage, without doubt, are to come in their proper order to him who gave the freedom. <a 530 d. k. aug.
Sin autem servus ratiociniis suppositus sit, ne ratiocinia pereant vel libertas impediatur, praesidem provinciae vel competentem iudicem tempus statuere, intra quod debet ratiociniis ante factis et debitis, quae ex his apparuerit, redditis ita ad libertatem venire. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
But if a slave has been assigned to accounts, so that the accounts not perish or liberty be impeded, let the governor of the province or the competent judge set a time, within which he must, the accounts previously made and the debts which shall have appeared from them having been rendered, thus come to liberty. <a 530, on the Kalends of August, Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
Ne autem quantitas servilis pretii sit incerta, sed manifesta, sancimus servi pretium sive ancillae, si nulla arte sunt imbuti, viginti solidis taxari, his videlicet, qui usque ad decimum annum suae venerunt aetatis, in decem tantummodo solidis ponendis: sin autem aliqua arte praediti sunt exceptis notariis et medicis, usque ad triginta solidos pretium eorum redigi sive in masculis sive in feminis. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
And lest the amount of the servile price be uncertain, but manifest, we sanction that the price of a slave, whether male or female, if they are imbued with no art, be assessed at twenty solidi, namely that those who have come up to the tenth year of their age be set at only ten solidi; but if they are endowed with some art, notaries and physicians excepted, their price is to be brought up to thirty solidi, whether in males or in females. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
Sin vero eunuchi sint servi communes maiores decem annis, si quidem sine arte sint, in quinquaginta solidos computentur, sin autem artifices, usque ad septuaginta: minores etenim decem annis eunuchos non amplius triginta solidis aestimari volumus. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
Sin autem, uno ex sociis libertatem sive imponere sive relinquere servo cupiente et pretium dante alter vel alteri ex his ipsi velle dixerint libertatem imponere et pretium dare, melior quidem causa erit eius, qui primus ad hanc rationem pietatis perveniet. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
But if, when one of the partners desires either to impose freedom or to relinquish to the slave, the slave desiring it and giving the price, the other or others of them shall say that they themselves wish to impose freedom and to give the price, the better cause will indeed be his who first arrives at this plan of piety. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
Si tamen sub obtentu libertatis et ipsi ad haec prosiluerint, tunc iudicem competentem omnes compellere sine pretio ei libertatem imponere: peculio quidem in omnes secundum partem dominii distribuendo, iura autem patronatus secundum sui naturam omnibus qui libertatem imposuerunt aequaliter habentibus. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
If, however, under the pretext of liberty they themselves also have leapt forward to these measures, then let the competent judge compel all to impose liberty upon him without price: the peculium indeed being distributed among all according to their share of ownership, but the rights of patronage, according to their own nature, being held equally by all who have imposed liberty. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
Cum apud omnes iuris peritos hoc placitum est, ut servus communis apud unumquemque dominum partim sit proprius partim alienus, ut ex hac causa possit et ipse legato honorari et ipse legari, huiusmodi incidit quaestio. * iust. a. iuliano pp. * <a 530 d. constantinopoli xv k. dec.
Since among all those skilled in law this has been agreed: that a common slave, with respect to each owner, is in part one’s own and in part another’s, so that for this reason he can both himself be honored by a legacy and himself be bequeathed, a question of this kind arises. * Justinian Augustus to Julian, Praetorian Prefect. * < in 530, at Constantinople, on the 15th day before the Kalends of December
Cum igitur nos sensum huiusmodi legati crebra indagatione adgredientes duplicem esse eum opinamur: aut enim putavit testator liberum fieri posse ex parte servum , qui huiusmodi legatum ei reliquit, aut, si hoc minime cogitavit, adfectu socii fecit, ut ei adquiratur, heredes autem suos eundem servum possidere minime voluit, ut sit manifestum a suo patrimonio penitus esse eum alienatum: in tali itaque comparatione nos, qui fautores libertatis sumus, sic ambiguam testatoris interpretamur voluntatem, tamquam si voluit eum libertate in suam partem donare. <a 530 d. constantinopoli xv k. dec. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
Accordingly, since we, approaching the sense of a legacy of this kind with frequent inquiry, think it to be twofold: either the testator supposed that a slave could be made free as to the share of the one who left him such a legacy, or, if he by no means conceived this, he acted with the affection of a partner, that it might be acquired for him; moreover, he by no means wished his heirs to possess that same slave, so that it is manifest he was wholly alienated from his patrimony: therefore, in such a case we, who are favorers of liberty, thus interpret the testator’s ambiguous will, as though he wished to bestow liberty upon him with respect to his own share. <Given at Constantinople on the 15th day before the Kalends of December, in the year 530, in the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Et cum iam de communibus servis manumittendis statuimus, quid in huiusmodi casibus fieri oportet, ex illius sanctionis tenore et huiusmodi species sit definita. fiat itaque liber, ex parte quidem testatoris secundum eius voluntatem, ex altera autem parte ex nostra definitione, pretio secundum praedictae constitutionis tenorem vel sociis ab herede praestando vel, si accipere noluerint, tam offerendo quam signando et periculo eorum deponendo, cum sat abundeque imperiale est humaniorem sententiam pro durioribus sequi. <a 530 d. constantinopoli xv k. dec.
And since we have now determined about manumitting common slaves, what ought to be done in cases of this kind has been defined by the tenor of that sanction, and a case of this sort as well has been defined. Let him therefore become free—on the one hand, on the part of the testator according to his will; on the other hand, by our definition—the price, according to the tenor of the aforesaid constitution, either being furnished by the heir to the partners, or, if they are unwilling to accept it, both being offered and sealed and deposited at their risk, since it is sufficiently and abundantly imperial to follow the more humane judgment over the harsher ones. <a 530 d. constantinopoli xv k. dec.
Si creditoribus satisfactum fuerit, ancillae, quae pignori obligatae a debitore manumissae erant, liberae fiunt. nam ipse manumissor si fraudem se fecisse creditoribus, ut revocet libertates, audeat dicere, audiri non debet nec heredes eius. * alex.
If satisfaction has been made to the creditors, the maidservants who had been given in pledge and were manumitted by the debtor become free. For the manumittor himself, if he should dare to say that he committed fraud upon the creditors in order to revoke the liberties, ought not to be heard, nor his heirs. * alex.
Si tutor tuus de pecunia tua servos emptos manumisit, quoniam huiusmodi servi sicut ceterae res pupillaribus pecuniis emptae iure pignoris ex constitutione divorum parentium meorum obligati sunt favore pupillorum, liberi facti non sunt. * alex. a. auctori.
If your tutor has manumitted slaves bought with your money, since slaves of this sort, just like other things purchased with pupillary monies, are obligated by a right of pledge, by the constitution of my deified parents, in favor of the wards, they have not been made free. * Alexander Augustus to the petitioner.
Sive cum nupsisses mancipia in dotem dedisti, sive post datam dotem de pecunia dotis maritus tuus quaedam comparavit, iuris rationibus dominia eorum ad eum pervenerunt. ideoque frustra quaestionem super statu manumissorum conaris inferre, qui eius facti, qui comparavit vel in dotem accepit, ab eo iure potuerunt manumitti. * gord.
Whether, when you married, you gave slaves into the dowry, or after the dowry had been given your husband purchased certain things with money of the dowry, on juridical grounds the dominion of them passed to him. And therefore you attempt in vain to raise a question concerning the status of those manumitted, who, being his acquisition—whether he purchased them or received them in dowry—could by right be manumitted by him. * gord.
Si ita, ut lege municipali constitutionibusque principum comprehenditur, cum servus publicus esses, ab ordine consentiente etiam praeside provinciae manumissus es, non ex eo, quod is quem dederas vicarium in fugam se convertit, iugo servitutis, quod manumissione evasisti, iterato cogeris succedere. * gord. a. epigono.
If, as is comprised by the municipal law and the constitutions of the emperors, when you were a public slave you were manumitted by the council, the governor of the province also consenting, you are not, from the fact that the vicarius whom you had provided has turned to flight, compelled to enter again under the yoke of servitude, which you escaped by manumission. * Gordian Augustus to Epigonus.
Si decretum ordinis auctoritas rectoris provinciae comprobavit, quo is libertatem acceperat, cui postea fueras, ut proponis, matrimonio copulata, natam ex huiusmodi matrimonio et civem romanam esse et in patris potestate non est incertae opinionis. * gord. a. hadrianae.
if the authority of the governor of the province approved the decree of the council, by which that man had received freedom, to whom afterward you were, as you state, joined in marriage, it is not a matter of uncertain opinion that a daughter born from such a marriage is both a Roman citizen and in the father’s power. * gordian augustus to hadriana.
Si itaque secundum legem vetti libici, cuius potestatem senatus consulto iuventio celso iterum et neratio Marcello consulibus facto ad provincias porrectam constitit, manumissus civitatem romanam consecutus es, post vero ut libertus tabularium administrando libertatem quam fueras consecutus non amisisti, nec actus tuus filio ex liberis ingenuo suscepto, quominus decurio esse possit, obfuit. <a 290 vel 293 d. xv k. april. ravennae aa. conss.
If therefore, according to the law of Vettius Libicus, whose power it has been established by a senatorial decree—passed when Iuventius Celsus for the second time and Neratius Marcellus were consuls—was extended to the provinces, you, having been manumitted, obtained Roman citizenship; and thereafter, as a freedman, by administering the tabularium, you did not lose the freedom which you had obtained; nor has your conduct been an obstacle to your son, born of freeborn stock, from being able to be a decurion. <a 290 or 293 on the 15th day before the Kalends of April, at Ravenna, the Augusti, consuls.
Si vero iubentibus nobis quicquam lege actum esse doceatur et non dominus, ut alienum mancipium manumitteretur, petisse probetur, tunc eodem, qui in conspectu nostro libertatem monstrabitur consecutus, ei protinus ad cuius proprietatem pertinet restituto is, qui mancipium alienum fallendo principis conscientiam manumisit, mancipia duo cogatur domino eius dare, cuiusmodi sexus aetatis atque artis constiterit esse manumissum, et alia tria fisco eadem ratione similia. <a 319 pp. id. iul. constantino a. v et licinio c. conss.>
But if it is shown that anything was done by law at our orders and it is proved that the owner did not petition that another’s slave be manumitted, then—with that same person who will be shown to have obtained liberty in our presence immediately restored to the one to whose proprietary right he pertains—the one who manumitted another’s slave by deceiving the prince’s conscience shall be compelled to give two slaves to that slave’s owner, of such sex, age, and skill as it has been established the manumitted person was, and another three, similar on the same terms, to the fisc. <a 319, on the Ides of July, Constantine, Augustus 5, and Licinius, Caesar, consuls.>
Quae multa non semper imponitur, sed potius conquiescit, si forte manumissus inferentem sibi quaestionem status obiecta legitima praescriptione potuerit excludere, cum sibi amissi mancipii damna debeat imputare, qui in perniciem suam gesta taciturnitate firmaverit. <a 319 pp. id. iul. constantino a. v et licinio c. conss.>
That mulct is not always imposed, but rather comes to rest, if perhaps the manumitted man can exclude the one bringing against him a question of status by setting up a legitimate prescription; since he ought to impute to himself the losses of the mancipium (slave) that was lost—he who has by silence confirmed the acts to his own ruin. <a 319 pp. id. iul. constantino a. v et licinio c. conss.>
Certum ius est non alias directas libertates per legem aeliam sentiam, quae sunt in fraudem creditorum manumissorum, revocari, nisi et consilium fraudis hoc animo manumittentis et eventus damni suum recipere volentium sequatur. inter creditores autem etiam eos numerandos esse, quibus fideicommissum debetur, olim placuit. * alex.
It is a settled rule of law that direct manumissions, which are in fraud of the creditors of the manumitted, are not revoked by the Lex Aelia Sentia, unless both the design of fraud—this intention of the manumitter—and the occurrence of loss to those wishing to recover what is theirs, concur. Among the creditors, moreover, it has long been decided that those to whom a fideicommissum is owed are also to be counted. * alex.
Si in fraudem eorum quae fisco debebantur probari potest libertas data, non valet. sed si pecuniam is, quem patrem tuum appellas, emptori dederit et ab eo redemptus ad libertatem productus est, nihil videtur bonis defuisse eius, qui fisci debitor dicitur. * alex.
If it can be proved that manumission was granted in fraud of those things that were owed to the fisc, it is not valid. But if the one whom you call your father gave money to the purchaser and, having been redeemed by him, you were brought forth into liberty, nothing seems to have been lacking from the assets of the one who is called a debtor of the fisc. * Alexander.
Cum divus pater meus constituerit a praesidibus provinciarum vel qui coercendorum maleficiorum potestatem habent in perpetua vincula damnatos ad libertatem produci non posse, hi, qui intra tempora poenae liberi et heredes esse iussi sunt aut legatum fideicommissumve acceperunt, neque libertatem adipisci nec quicquam eorum quae his data sunt capere possunt. * sev. et ant.
Since my deified father established that those condemned to perpetual chains by the governors of the provinces, or by those who have the power of restraining crimes, cannot be brought forth to liberty, those who within the time of the penalty have been ordered to be free and heirs, or have received a legacy or a fideicommissum, can neither attain liberty nor take anything of the things that have been given to them. * Severus and Antoninus.
Quod si poenae tempus compleverint, iam omni vinculo exsoluti et quasi ad pristinam vel simplicem servitutis condicionem redacti et libertatem et si qua testamentis dominorum illo tempore defunctorum acceperunt, sine ulla quaestione praeteritae poenae consequantur. <a 161? d. xvi k. iul.
But if they have completed the term of punishment, now released from every bond and, as it were, reduced to their former or simple condition of servitude, let them obtain, without any question on account of the past punishment, both freedom and whatever they received by the wills of masters who at that time died. <a 161? d. 16 Kalends of July.
Sed in proposito interest, utrumne eos, quos cum filio educatos esse testator expresserit, propter familiare ministerium et usum filiorum necessarium et venire et manumitti noluerit, an quasi male meritis poenam inrogaverit. <>
But in the matter at hand it makes a difference whether those whom the testator has expressly stated to have been brought up with his son, on account of domestic service and the necessary use for his sons, he has been unwilling either to be sold or to be manumitted, or whether he has imposed a penalty as if for ill deserts. <>
Nam priore casu, morte eius cui consulebatur obsequi necessitate finita, libertas potest pervenire, posteriore id, quod poenae causa in servos statutum est, necesse est vires suas obtinere, quando divis parentibus meis placuerit eiusmodi testamentorum leges perpetuam servitutem male meritis servis inrogare, ut nec per suppositum emptorem ad libertatem produci possint. <>
For in the former case, with the death of the one whose interests were being consulted and the necessity of attendance ended, freedom can be attained; in the latter, that which was established against the slaves for the sake of punishment must retain its force, since it has pleased my deified parents that the rules of testaments of this kind impose perpetual servitude upon ill-deserving slaves, so that they cannot be brought to freedom even through an interposed purchaser. <>
Quoniam religiosa sollicitudo ad augendam provocandamque fidei observationem iuris praemio adfici debet, si ad ulciscendam caedem domini incorruptis probationibus ac strenuo nisu constiteris, libertatem, quam his qui dominorum caedem vindicant iam pridem senatus consulto et statutis principum praestari sancitum est, etiam tu pro tam ingentibus meritis non ex ipso facto, sed aditione et sententia praesidis reportabis. * diocl. et maxim.
Since religious solicitude ought to be rewarded by a prize of law to augment and to provoke the observation of fidelity, if you have established, with incorrupt proofs and strenuous endeavor, the avenging of your master’s slaying, you shall obtain liberty—which, for those who vindicate the slaughter of their masters, has long since been sanctioned by senatorial decree and by the statutes of the princes to be afforded—you too, for such immense merits, not from the very fact itself, but by petition and the sentence of the governor. * diocletian and maximian.
Si ingenuum te et testamento manumissum esse dicas, apud suos iudices causam agere debes, si tamen iustum contradictorem habes, id est eum, qui se patronum tuum esse dicit, memor senatum censuisse, ut, qui post manumissionem originem repetierint, ea quae de domo manumissoris habent ibi relinquant. in qua causa etiam legata ut liberto data esse iuris prudentibus placuit. * alex.
If you say that you are freeborn and were manumitted by a testament, you must plead your case before your own judges, provided you have a lawful contradictor—that is, one who says that he is your patron—mindful that the senate decreed that those who, after manumission, reclaim their origin must leave there whatever they have from the house of the manumitter. In which case it has also pleased the jurists that even legacies are to be regarded as given to a freedman. * Alexander.
Si aviam tuam manumissam postea ingenuam sollemniter constitit statumque eius iustae sententiae tuetur auctoritas, filios eius quamvis ante sententiam susceptos ingenuam libertatem non immerito flagitare, si cum peritioribus tractatum habuisses, facile cognosceres. * philipp. a. felic.
If it has been solemnly established that your grandmother, once manumitted, was thereafter freeborn, and the authority of a just sentence safeguards her status, you would easily recognize—had you held discussion with more skilled persons—that her sons, though begotten before the sentence, may not unjustly demand freeborn liberty. * Philippus Augustus to Felix.
Defamari statum ingenuorum seu errore seu malignitate quorundam periniquum est, praesertim cum adfirmes diu praesidem unum atque alterum interpellatum a te vocitasse diversam partem, ut contradictionem faceret, si defensionibus suis confideret. * diocl. et maxim.
It is most iniquitous that the status of freeborn persons be defamed either through error or through the malignity of certain people, especially since you assert that for a long time one governor and then another, importuned by you, kept calling upon the opposing party to make a contradiction, if he trusted in his defenses. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Scientis condicionem liberum non posse fieri servum evidentissimi iuris est. cum igitur proponas patrem pupillorum, quorum precibus fecisti mentionem, velut liberum te penes se habuisse, ministerium, licet in actu longi temporis, non praecedente vero titulo, quibus dominia quaeri solent, mutare tuam condicionem minime potuit. * diocl.
It is of the most evident law that one whose condition is free cannot be made a slave. Since therefore you allege that the father of the wards, at whose petitions you made mention, had kept you with him as though free, for a service, although in an act of long duration, with no true title preceding—the sort by which ownerships are wont to be sought—he was by no means able to change your condition. * diocl.
Cum igitur te matre libertina editam, dehinc ab hostibus captam postliminio reversam proponas et nunc tibi servitutis moveri quaestionem, consequens est adiri praesidem provinciae, qui de causa liberali cognoscet iure laturus sententiam, sciens neque huiusmodi matris condicionem neque captivitatem reversis de statu pristino quicquam posse detrahere. <>
Since, therefore, you set forth that you were born of a mother who was a freedwoman, thereafter captured by enemies and returned by right of postliminy, and that now a question of slavery is being raised against you, it follows that the praeses of the province should be approached, who will take cognizance of the cause of liberty and deliver sentence according to law, knowing that neither the condition of a mother of this sort nor captivity can detract anything from those who have returned to their former status. <>
Ad recognoscendos singulos nomina comparata publico consensu, ob celandos natales ingenuis si mutentur, minime nocet, natosque, licet in ministerio servitutis, liberae condicionis non servos possessio, sed status ingenuos edi perficit. * diocl. et maxim.
For recognizing individuals, names procured by public consent, even if they are changed by freeborn persons to conceal their birth, do no harm; and those born, although in the ministry of servitude, are of free condition: possession does not make them slaves, but the publication of their status brings it about that they are issued as freeborn. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Sancimus, si proprietarius servo, cuius usus fructus ad alium pertinebat, libertatem imposuit, non secundum antiquam observationem et libertatem cadere et eum sine domino intellegi esse, sed nec inveniri personam, cui res ad se venientes adquirat: sed si tam proprietarius quam usufructuarius libertatem ei consentientes imposuerant, pleno iure liberum eum effici et, si quid postea sibi adquisierit, hoc in bonis suis habere. * iust. a. iuliano pp. * <a 530 d. k. aug.
We ordain that, if the proprietor has imposed liberty upon a slave whose usufruct belonged to another, it is not, according to the ancient observance, both that the liberty should fall and that he be understood to be without a master, nor is any person found for whom he might acquire the things coming to him; but if both the proprietor and the usufructuary, consenting, had imposed liberty upon him, he is made free with full right, and, if thereafter he has acquired anything for himself, he holds this among his goods. * Justinian Augustus to Julianus, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 530 on the Kalends of August.
Sin autem proprietarius solus libertatem imposuerit usufructuario minime consentiente, sit quidem ille, qui libertatem a proprietario accepit, inter libertos proprietarii connumeratus et, si quid in medio possedit, hoc sibi adquirat, sibi habeat, suae posteritati relinquat, salvo patronatus iure per omnia custodiendo , nisi et hoc ei legibus fuerit remissum. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
But if the proprietor alone has imposed liberty, the usufructuary by no means consenting, let the one who has received liberty from the proprietor indeed be counted among the proprietor’s freedmen, and, if he has possessed anything in the meantime, let him acquire this for himself, keep it for himself, and leave it to his own posterity, the right of patronage being saved to be observed in all respects , unless this too has been remitted to him by the laws. <a in 530, on the day of the Kalends of August, Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
Ipse tamen libertus quasi servus apud usufructuarium permaneat, donec usufructuarius vivit vel usus fructus non legitimo modo peremptus est. etenim si finem usus fructus quocumque modo accipiat, tunc facultas ei tribuitur quo maluerit degere modo. si vero adhuc superstite usufructuario ab hac luce fuerit libertus exemptus, hereditas eius legitimum tramitem sequatur.
Let the freedman himself, nevertheless, remain as if a slave with the usufructuary, so long as the usufructuary lives or the usufruct has not been extinguished in a lawful manner. For indeed, if the usufruct reaches its end in whatever way, then the faculty is granted to him to live in whatever manner he prefers. But if, the usufructuary still surviving, the freedman has been removed from this light, let his inheritance follow the legitimate course.
Sin autem usufructuarius tantummodo libertatem imposuerit, si quidem hoc modo, ut cedat usu fructu proprietario, plenissimum ius habeat in servo proprietarius et omnia ei servus adquirat secundum ea, quae generaliter in servos et dominos constituta sunt. <a 530 d. k. aug. lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
But if, however, the usufructuary has imposed only liberty, indeed in such manner that the usufruct cedes to the proprietor, the proprietor shall have the fullest right in the slave, and the slave shall acquire everything for him, according to those provisions which are generally established concerning slaves and masters. <a 530, on the Kalends of August, Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
Sin vero gratias agendo usufructuarius eum ab usu fructu liberaverit et libertate donaverit, tunc maneat quidem servus proprietario suo adnexus, sed non necessitas ei imponatur, donec vivit usufructuarius vel usus fructus constare potest, observare proprietarium et quaedam ministeria ei adimplere, sed iudices nostri eum in quiete tueantur. post usufructuarii autem mortem vel usus fructus quocumque modo interemptionem tunc serviat quidem domino et omnia, quae in medio ad eum perveniant, haec suo domino adquirat. <a 530 d. k. aug.
But if indeed, by rendering thanks, the usufructuary has released him from the usufruct and has bestowed liberty, then let the slave remain annexed to his proprietor; yet let no necessity be imposed upon him, so long as the usufructuary lives or the usufruct can subsist, to attend upon the proprietor and to fulfill certain services for him, but let our judges protect him in quiet. After the death of the usufructuary, however, or the extinction of the usufruct in whatever way, then let him indeed serve the master, and whatever things in the interval come to him, let him acquire these for his own master. <a 530 d. k. aug.
Illud quoque huic legi adicimus, ut explosa antiqua personarum differentia liceat parentibus tam feminis quam masculis filiis filiabus sive in sacris constitutis sive emancipatis cuiuscumque gradus mandatum imponere, quatenus servos in libertatem producant sive apud iudicem sive in sacris ecclesiis sive secundum alium quem mandator voluerit legitimum modum. cum enim et in successionibus et in aliis paene omnibus nulla est inter liberos discretio, oportet hoc observari et in praesenti casu maxime pro libertate, quam et fovere et tueri romanis legibus et praecipue nostro numini peculiare est. <a 530 d. k. aug.
We also add this to this law: that, with the ancient difference of persons repudiated, it shall be permitted to parents to impose a mandate upon their sons and daughters, female as well as male, whether established in sacred orders or emancipated, of whatever grade, that they bring slaves into liberty, whether before a judge or in the holy churches or according to some other legitimate mode which the mandator may have wished. For since both in successions and in almost all other matters there is no distinction among children, this ought to be observed also in the present case, especially on behalf of liberty, which to foster and to protect is peculiar to the Roman laws and especially to our numen. <a 530 d. k. aug.
Si quis servo suo libertatem imponat sive in ecclesia sive ad qualecumque tribunal vel apud eum, qui libertatem imponere legibus habet licentiam, sive in testamento vel alio ultimo elogio directam vel fideicommissariam, nullo coartetur modo eorum qui ad libertatem veniunt aetatem requirere. neque enim eum tantummodo civitatem romanam adipisci columus, qui maior triginta annis extitit, sed quemadmodum in ecclesiasticis libertatibus non est huiusmodi aetatis differentia, ita in omnibus libertatibus, quae a dominis imponuntur sive in extremis dispositionibus sive per iudices vel alio legitimo modo, hoc observari sancimus, ut sint omnes cives romani constituti: ampliandam enim magis civitatem nostram quam minuendam esse censemus. * iust.
If anyone imposes liberty upon his slave, whether in a church or before whatever tribunal, or before one who by the laws has license to impose liberty, or in a testament or some other last declaration, whether direct or fideicommissary, let him in no way be constrained to require the age of those who come to liberty. For we do not desire that Roman citizenship be obtained only by him who has been greater than 30 years, but, just as in ecclesiastical manumissions there is no such difference of age, so in all manumissions which are imposed by masters, whether in last dispositions or through judges or by some other legitimate mode, we sanction that this be observed: that all be constituted Roman citizens. For we judge that our civitas is to be expanded rather than diminished. * iust.
Si quis sine uxore constitutus ancillam suam nomine habeat concubinae et in eadem usque ad mortem consuetudine permanserit et forsitan liberos ex ea sustulerit , sancimus omnimodo non concedi heredibus defuncti eandem vel liberos eius, si etiam liberos habuerit, in servitutem deducere, sed post mortem domini sub certo modo eripiatur in libertatem una cum subole sua, si etiam eam forsitan habuerit. * iust. a. iohanni pp. * <a 531 d. k. nov.
If anyone, being without a wife, should hold his own handmaid under the name of concubine and remain in the same consuetude up to death, and perhaps should have had children by her, we sanction that in no way is it permitted to the heirs of the deceased to lead that same woman or her children, if she also has children, into servitude; but after the death of the master she shall be snatched into liberty according to a certain procedure, together with her issue, if perhaps she also has it. * Justinian Augustus to John, Praetorian Prefect. * <in the year 531, on the Kalends of November.
Ipse etenim domino, dum superest, damus licentiam quomodo voluerit uti tam ancilla sua quam etiam ex ea progenita subole et in suo ultimo elogio quidquid voluerit contra eos disponere, id est sive quasi servos eos aliis legare sive in servitute heredum nominatim relinquere. sin autem taciturnitate eos praeterierit, tunc post mortem eius ad libertatem eripiantur, ut sit domini mors libertatis eorum exordium. <a 531 d. k. nov.
For we grant the master himself, while he survives, license to use as he wishes both his handmaid and also the offspring begotten from her, and in his last elogium to dispose whatever he wishes with respect to them, that is, either to bequeath them to others as if slaves, or to leave them by name in the servitude of his heirs. But if he has passed them over in silence, then after his death let them be seized into liberty, so that the master’s death may be the beginning of their freedom. <in the year 531, on the Kalends of November.
Si hi, quos servos tuos esse dicis, liberi esse a diversa parte dicuntur, de statu eorum more solito quaeri oportet: nec enim res iudicata, qua de proprietate eorum pronuntiatum est, opponi causae liberali potest. * ant. a. vereniano.
If those whom you say are your slaves are said by the opposing party to be free, it is proper that inquiry be made into their status in the customary manner: for the res judicata, by which it has been pronounced concerning their ownership, cannot be opposed to a causa liberalis. * Antoninus Augustus to Verenianus.
Si is, quem in servitutem petebas, liber quamvis absente te causa cognita pronuntiatus est, secunda in servitutem petitio eius dari tibi non debet. sed si, posteaquam cognovisti de sententia iudicis, appellasti, an iure lata sit, in auditorio quaeretur. * alex.
If the person whom you were seeking into servitude was pronounced free, the case having been examined although you were absent, a second petition to claim him into servitude ought not to be granted to you. But if, after you learned of the judge’s sentence, you appealed, whether it was lawfully rendered will be inquired into in the auditorium. * alex.
Sed nec hoc ad praescriptionem operatur, quod venditionis tempore maior viginti annis fuit, cum aetatis adlegatio non alias possit praescriptionem adversus civem romanum accommodare, quam si participandi pretii gratia consensum servituti dedisse probetur. <>
But nor does this avail for prescription, that at the time of the sale he was over twenty years of age, since the allegation of age can in no other way apply prescription against a Roman citizen than if it be proved that, for the sake of participating in the price, he gave his consent to servitude. <>
Si ab eo cuius servus fuisti manumissus es, frustra libertatis controversiam sustines, maxime ab herede eius qui manumisit, cum, etsi iure libertas non processit, respectu tamen aditae hereditatis voluntatem defuncti suo consensu firmare debuit. * aurel. a. secundo.
If you have been manumitted by him whose slave you were, you are vainly sustaining a controversy of liberty, especially against the heir of him who manumitted; since, even if the liberty did not take effect in law, nevertheless, in view of the inheritance having been entered upon, he ought by his own consent to have confirmed the will of the deceased. * aurelian the augustus, to secundus.
Cum adfirmes placuisse quondam domino tuo, ut pro te et filia tua dato nummo certae quantitatis vos manumitteret, et te tantummodo liberaverit, aditus rector provinciae hortabitur eum salva reverentia, quam patrono liberti solent exhibere , placito suo stare. * diocl. et maxim.
Since you affirm that it once pleased your master that, upon a payment of money of a definite quantity being given for you and your daughter, he would manumit you both, and that he has freed you only, once approached the governor of the province will exhort him, with the reverence which freedmen are accustomed to show to a patron , to stand by his agreement. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Cum precum tuarum conceptio, licet eum contra quem supplicas ex ancilla natum esse expresserit, tamen nomini cognomen, quo liberi dumtaxat nuncupantur, addiderit et non servum esse, sed servili macula adspersum comprehenderit, contra eum qui servus non est supplicasse te intellegitur. * diocl. et maxim.
When the framing of your petition, although it has expressed that the one against whom you supplicate was born of a handmaid, nevertheless has added to the name a cognomen, by which only the free are designated, and has understood him to be not a slave, but besprinkled with a servile stain, it is understood that you have petitioned against one who is not a slave. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Liberos priva non mutant servi statum, si ad civiles honores illicite atque improbe adspiraverint. unde si status moveatur quaestio, intellegere vobis licet nonil prodesse posse, quod pater vester honores civiles gessit. sollemnibus itaque ordinatis apud praesidem provinciae de statu vestro cognoscetur.
The status of private freeborn persons is not altered to the condition of a slave, if they have aspired illicitly and improperly to civil honors. Whence, if a question of status is raised, you may understand that it can profit you nothing that your father held civil honors. Therefore, with the solemnities arranged before the president of the province, inquiry shall be made concerning your status.
Si liberum te natum aliquis comparavit, statum retines, quem antea habuisti. si vero ex ancilla editum naturalis pater idemque dominus distraxit ac post emptori pretium solvisti, non idcirco libertatem consecutus es. * diocl. et maxim.
If someone has purchased you as born free, you retain the status which you had before. if, however, one born from a handmaid was sold by his natural father, who is likewise the master, and afterward you paid the price to the purchaser, you have not for that reason obtained freedom. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Principaliter destatu defuncti agi non potest. si vero ex peculio quondam eius, quem tibi bona reliquisse commemoras, res vindicentur vel eius filiis moveatur status quaestio, haec omnia sollemniter praesidali notione decidi debent. * diocl.
Primarily, an action concerning the status of a deceased person cannot be brought. But if, out of the peculium of the late man whom you mention to have left goods to you, things are claimed by vindication, or a status-question is moved against his sons, all these matters ought to be decided solemnly by a praesidal inquiry. * diocl.
Nec omissa professio probationem generis excludit nec falsa simulata veritatem minuit. cum itaque ad examinationem veri omnis iure prodita debeat admitti probatio, aditus praeses provinciae sollemnibus ordinatis, prout iuris ratio patitur , causam liberalem inter vos decidi providebit. * diocl.
Nor does an omitted declaration exclude the proof of status, nor do simulated falsehoods diminish the truth. Since, therefore, for the examination of the truth every proof brought forth by law ought to be admitted, the provincial governor, once approached, with the solemnities arranged, as the rationale of the law permits , will provide that the cause of liberty be decided between you. * Diocletian.
Si ministerium quasi libera exhibuisti ac te nesciente quasi ancilla in dotem data conscriptum instrumentum est, nihil haec libertati tuae nocere potuerunt, maxime cum te minorem aetate fuisse commemores et placuerit minores viginti annis nulla ratione mutare statum ac pro liberis servos fieri, ne ante libertatem inconsulte amittant, quam aliis propter aetatis rationem sine consilio praestare non possunt. * diocl. et maxim.
If you have rendered service as if a freewoman, and, without your knowledge, a written instrument was drawn up by which you were given in dowry as if a handmaid, none of these things could injure your liberty—especially since you recall that you were a minor in age, and it has pleased (the emperors) that those under twenty years are by no means to change their status and be made slaves instead of free persons, lest they imprudently lose liberty before they are able, on account of their age, to undertake obligations for others without counsel. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Principaliter causam eius de quo supplicas esse quam tuam perspicimus. nam cum te eum ad libertatem produxisse profitearis, illius interest magis sollemniter suum tueri statum et consequenter tua etiam agetur causa: nam si ab eo, contra quem fundis preces, servus dicatur eique libertas ex manumissione tua vindicetur , probatio servitutis originis et beneficium manumissionis libertatem illi adsignans tuum etiam ius patronatus tuetur. si vero consentiat servituti, tunc iure concesso adito praeside provinciae eum invitum etiam defendere poteris.
Principally we perceive the cause to be his, on whose behalf you supplicate, rather than yours. For since you profess that you have brought him forth to liberty, it is more his concern to defend his status solemnly, and consequently your cause also will be conducted: for if by the one against whom you pour forth prayers he is called a slave, and liberty is vindicated to him from your manumission , the proof of the origin of servitude and the benefit of manumission assigning liberty to him also safeguards your right of patronage. But if he consents to servitude, then, the right being conceded, upon approaching the governor of the province you will be able to defend him even unwilling.
Eam, quae in possessione libertatis non sine dolo malo reperitur, in servitutem constitutae simile habere praeiudicium edicto perpetuo " si controversia erit, utrum ex servitute in libertatem petatur an ex libertate in servitutem" sui conceptione manifeste probatur, nec quicquam ancillae dolus proprii iuris dominis aufert. * diocl. et maxim.
She who is found in the possession of liberty not without malicious fraud is clearly shown by the very conception of the perpetual edict—“if there is a controversy whether she is claimed from servitude into liberty or from liberty into servitude”—to have a prejudgment similar to that of one placed in servitude; nor does the slave-woman’s fraud take away anything of the masters’ own right. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Parentes natales, non confessio adsignat. quapropter si ex ancilla nata post ad libertatem manumissa pervenisti, te velut ex altera natam ancilla servam professa quaesitam manumissione libertatem huiusmodi simulatione vel errore amittere minime potuisti, cum servi nascantur ratione certa, non confessione constituantur. * diocl.
Natural parents are assigned by birth, not by confession. Wherefore, if, born of a handmaid, you afterwards came to liberty by being manumitted, you could by no means lose the liberty procured by manumission, on account of such simulation or error, by professing yourself a slave as if born of another handmaid, since slaves are born by a fixed rule and are not constituted by confession. * Diocletian.
Si tibi testamento directa libertas a domino relicta est et ex eo successerunt scriptae filiae, non idcirco, quod secundum eius voluntatem vel contra de filiis uni praestas obsequium, ceterae filiae tuam rescindere possunt libertatem. * diocl. et maxim.
If by a testament direct liberty was left to you by your master, and under it the daughters written therein succeeded, not on that account—because, according to his will or contrary to it, you render obedience to one of the children—can the other daughters rescind your liberty. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Coheres etiam tibi ab arriano datus colludens cum eo sive heredibus ipsius, qui status moverat quaestionem, nihil tibi obfuit, nec quae in confessionem inter eos venerunt, statum veritatis vel nomen substantiae defuncti mutare potuerunt. <a 294 d.Iii k.April.Sirmio cc.Conss.>
Even a coheir assigned to you by Arrianus, colluding with him or with his heirs, as to the status which had raised the question, did you no harm; nor were the things that came into confession between them able to change the status of the truth or the name (title) of the estate of the defunct. <a 294 d.Iii k.April.Sirmio cc.Conss.>
Avi paterni magistratu functi dignitas ad libertatis probationem nihil nepoti prodest, si quidem in liberali causa matris, non patris inspiciatur condicio. sed nec materni avi sola sufficit, cum, licet avia quoque libera probari possit, multis tamen ex causis status mutari consueverit. * diocl.
The dignity of a paternal grandfather who has discharged a magistracy profits the grandson nothing for the proof of liberty, since in a liberty case the condition of the mother, not of the father, is examined. But neither does that of the maternal grandfather alone suffice, since, although the grandmother too can be proved free, yet for many reasons status is wont to be changed. * diocl.
Si tibi servitutis improbe moveatur quaestio, sollemnibus ordinatis de calumnia vel iniuria, prout vindictae viam elegeris, habita contestatione, posteaquam servus non esse fueris pronuntiatus, adversus eam sententiam postulare potes, tunc demum de his etiam quae direpta probaveris restitutionem, cum pro libertate fuerit pronuntiatum, petiturus. * diocl. et maxim.
If a question of servitude is unjustly stirred up against you, after the solemn preliminaries have been arranged for calumny or injury, according as you shall have chosen the way of vindication, with the joinder of issue had, after you have been pronounced not to be a slave, you can move for that judgment; then at last—when it has been pronounced in favor of liberty—you will seek restitution even of those things which you shall have proven were plundered. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Post certi temporis ministerium ancillae liberam eam esse cum ea paciscendo conventionis obtemperandi legi domina nullam habet necessitatem utque hoc verum est , ita e contrario si filios suos constituta cum his libera in ministerium tibi tradere promisisse probetur, parere placitis non compellitur. * diocl. et maxim.
After a certain time of service of a maidservant, that she be free—by making a pact with her—the mistress has no necessity of obeying the law of the convention; and just as this is true , so on the contrary, if it should be proved that she promised to hand over her own children, she being constituted free together with them, into your service, she is not compelled to obey the agreed terms. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Iuxta edicti nostri continentiam in liberalibus quoque negotiis, sive de libertinitate sive de ingenuitate moventur, absente nihilo minus una parte causam discuti et pro iustitiae ratione sententiam proferri nihil prohibet. * diocl. et maxim.
According to the tenor of our edict, even in matters of liberty, whether questions are raised about libertinity (freedman status) or about ingenuousness (freeborn status), nothing prevents the case from being examined and a sentence pronounced according to the rule of justice, even with one party absent nonetheless. * diocl. and maxim.
Iubemus omnes epistulas actricis, quas ad aelium tamquam principalem fecerat, inanes et vacuas esse atque in irritum devocari ac de ingenuitate eiusdem aelii requiri nec mulieri id obesse, quod ad eum tamquam decurionem ac principalem scripserit, vel id, quod idem se finxerit decurionem vel principalem, maxime cum non solum testium professione et cognationis eius, quae iugum servile agnoscit, verum etiam voce propria eiusdem aelii apud aliud iudicium patuerat, quod condicionis servilis videretur. * const. et licin.
We order all the letters of the female plaintiff, which she had made to Aelius as if he were a principal, to be empty and void and to be called back into nullity, and that inquiry be made concerning the freeborn status of that same Aelius; nor is it to harm the woman that she wrote to him as if a decurion and a principal, or that he himself pretended to be a decurion or a principal, especially since it had become evident—not only by the profession of witnesses and of his kin, which acknowledges the servile yoke, but also by the very voice of that same Aelius before another judgment—that he appeared to be of servile condition. * const. and licin.
Placuit eos qui nascuntur matrum condicionibus uti, quarum mox visceribus exponuntur. ante litem vero nati suo omnes nomine in quaestionem vocentur, quoniam hos solos, qui in lite nati erunt, omnem fortunam matrum complecti oportet et aut iustis tradi dominis aut libertate cum lucis auctoribus frui. * const.
It has been decreed that those who are born are to use the conditions of their mothers, from whose wombs they are soon brought forth. But those born before the suit are all to be called into question in their own name, since only those who will have been born in the suit ought to embrace the entire fortune of the mothers, and either be handed over to their rightful masters or enjoy liberty with the authors of their light. * const.
Lites super servili condicione movendas ad clementiorem tam examinationem quam terminum transferimus iubentes, si quis vel adhuc serviens liberum se esse dixerit vel in libertate commorans ad servitutem vocatus fuerit, adsertoris difficultatem in utroque casu cessare ipsumque per se ad intentiones eius qui dominum sese adserit respondere et, si ex possessione libertatis ad servitutem ducitur, etiam procuratorem dare minime prohiberi, quod his, qui ex servitute ad libertatem prosiluerint, penitus interdicimus: illis legibus, quae dudum et secunda et tertia vice adsertorias lites examinari praecipiebant, in posterum conquiescentibus, cum sit iustum primam definitionem in suis manere viribus, cum provocatio nulla oblata fuerit: qua porrecta, ad similitudinem aliorum negotiorum iudex, ad quem res ex provocatione ducitur, eam examinabit, cuius et ipsius iudicium ad secundam exquisitionem minime deducetur occasione legum, quae super adsertoriis litibus positae sunt. * iust. a. menae pp. * <a 528 d. iii id. dec.
We transfer suits to be brought concerning the servile condition to a more clement both examination and termination, ordering that, if anyone either still serving should say that he is free, or, dwelling in liberty, should be called to slavery, the difficulty of an adsertor in either case shall cease, and that he himself shall, on his own, answer the claims of him who asserts himself to be the master; and, if he is led from the possession of liberty into slavery, he is by no means to be prohibited from even appointing a procurator—which we utterly forbid to those who have leapt forth from slavery to liberty: with those laws which formerly prescribed that adsertory suits be examined a second and a third time hereafter resting, since it is just that the first decision remain in its own force when no appeal has been offered; but, an appeal having been presented, in likeness to other matters the judge to whom the case is brought by appeal will examine it, and his own judgment will by no means be led to a second inquiry on the pretext of the laws that were set concerning adsertory suits. * Justinian Augustus to Mena, Praetorian Prefect. * <year 528, day 3 before the Ides of December.
Super peculio etiam eorum vel aliis rebus aut causis veterem defensoris observationem tollimus, praecipientes illorum tantummodo peculia, qui ex possessione servitutis super libera condicione litigant, aliasque res quae vindicantur in tuto pro dispositione iudicis collocari. <a 528 d. iii id. dec. dn. iustiniano pp. a. ii cons.>
Concerning the peculium of such persons and also other things or causes, we remove the old observance of the defensor, ordering that only the peculia of those who, being held in possession as slaves, litigate concerning free status, and other things that are claimed, be placed in safe-keeping according to the judge’s disposition. <a 528, on the 3rd day before the Ides of December, under our lord Justinian, perpetual Augustus, in his 2nd consulship.>
Omnes vero, qui pro libertate periclitantur, si quidem possint fideiussorem dare , eum exigi: sin vero re vera datio eius impossibilis eis sit hocque iudici manifeste ostendatur, iuratoriae cautioni committi: scientes quod, si post hiusmodi expositionem afuerint et edictis citati in absentia nihilo minus per unum annum duraverint, omnimodo servituti obnoxii erunt et eius dominio, qui litem eis intulit, sine ulla dubitatione adsignabuntur. <a 528 d. iii id. dec. dn. iustiniano pp. a. ii cons.>
But all who are in jeopardy for liberty, if indeed they can furnish a surety, let that be exacted; but if in very truth the giving of it is impossible for them and this is clearly shown to the judge, let them be committed to juratory caution; knowing that, if after such a presentation they should be absent and, though summoned by edicts, nonetheless persist in absence for 1 year, they will in every way be liable to servitude and will, without any doubt, be assigned to the dominion of him who brought the suit against them. <a 528, on the 3rd day before the Ides of December, our lord Justinian, perpetual Augustus, in his 2nd consulship.>
Scire vero eos volumus, qui aliquem ad servitutem vocant, quod, si post primam accusationem in quocumque iudicio vel ex divali iussione factam et admonitionem ei oblatam, qui servus esse dicitur, in alio iudicio eum accusaverint ( praeterquam si eius occasionem ipse qui servus esse dicitur praestiterit), etsi domini sint, suo iure privabuntur. <a 528 d. iii id. dec. dn. iustiniano pp. a. ii cons.>
We wish those to know, who summon someone into servitude, that, if after the first accusation made in whatever court or by imperial command and an admonition offered to him who is said to be a slave, they accuse him in another court ( except if the occasion for it has been furnished by the very one who is said to be a slave), even if they are the masters, they will be deprived of their right. <a 528 on the 3rd day before the Ides of December, our lord Justinian, perpetual Augustus, in the consulship, year 2.>
Cum enim per adsertores super libertate iudicium agitabatur, si in medio adsertore litem agente adsertus ab hac luce fuerit subtractus, necessitas imponebatur nihilo minus adsertori litem implere, ut emptor, si victus erat et pro libertate fuerat pronuntiatum, habeat regressum adversus venditorem, ut ei quasi liberae personae venditor reddat id, quod emptionali instrumento continebatur vel natura contractus exigebat. <a 531 d. k. sept.>
Since indeed the action concerning liberty was being pursued through adsertors, if, while the adsertor was in the midst conducting the suit, the adserted person were removed from this light, nonetheless a necessity was imposed on the adsertor to complete the litigation, so that the buyer, if he was defeated and it had been pronounced for liberty, might have recourse against the seller, in order that the seller render back to him, as to a person as if free, that which was contained in the emptional instrument or which the nature of the contract demanded. <a 531 d. k. sept.>
Sancimus itaque in praesenti casu licentiam esse emptori adversus suum auctorem venire, quatenus vel ostendat venditor servum se vendidisse vel, si non potuerit , quasi libera persona vendita evictionis periculum ad eum revertatur. <a 531 d. k. sept.>
We sanction, therefore, in the present case that there be license for the buyer to proceed against his author (warrantor), to the extent that either the seller show that he sold the slave as such or, if he cannot , as though a free person had been sold, the peril of eviction shall revert to him. <a 531 d. k. sept.>
Dispar causa est eius, qui dissimulata condicione sua distrahi se passus est, et eius qui pretium participatus est. nam superiori quidem non denegatur libertatis defensio, posteriori autem, et si civis romanus sit et participatus est pretia, libertas denegatur. * gord.
The case is different for the one who, his condition dissimulated, allowed himself to be sold, and for the one who participated in the price. For to the former the defense of liberty is not denied; but to the latter, even if he is a Roman citizen and has participated in the price(s), liberty is denied. * gord.
Si quis in libertatem proclamaverit, id, quod apud se esse eius qui se dominum dicit profitebitur, quoniam de eo non dubitatur, reddi ac referri iudex protinus pronuntiabit. * const. a. ad maximum pu. * <a 323 d. xv k. iun.
If anyone has proclaimed for freedom, that which he will acknowledge to be with himself belonging to the one who says he is his master—since there is no doubt about it—the judge will at once pronounce to be returned and brought back. * constitution of the emperor to Maximus, prefect of the city. * <a 323 d. 15 kalends of june.
Quod vero petitur, si fuerit negatione dubium, per cautionem conservabitur ac petitio differetur, ut, si fuerit approbata libertas, ( quoniam et ipsis, qui his rem commiserunt, medendum est) gestarum rerum ab eodem ratio atque omne quod debebitur reposcatur, ut servitute depulsa qui pro domino quondam fuerat habeat, quod ut servo dominii iure largitus est et quae ex earum rerum quaestu ac fructibus conciliata sunt et quae de furtivis compendiis obscure capta ac parata sunt , cum liberum esse non oporteat, quod apud servum dominus peculii nomine collocaverat. <a 323 d. xv k. iun. thessalonica severo et rufino conss.>
But that which is sought, if it has been made doubtful by denial, will be safeguarded by a caution, and the petition will be deferred, so that, if liberty has been approved (since a remedy must also be provided for those who entrusted the matter to them), an accounting of the things done may be demanded from the same person and everything that will be owed may be reclaimed, to the end that, servitude having been repelled, he who formerly stood in the place of master may have what, by the right of dominion, he bestowed upon the slave, and what has been procured from the profit and fruits of those things, and what has been obscurely taken and prepared from furtive gains, since it is not fitting that what the master had placed with the slave under the name of peculium should be free. <a 323 on the 15th day before the kalends of june, at thessalonica, in the consulship of severus and rufinus.>
Ea vero, quae testamento vel donatione quaesita sunt aut quae ex earum rerum emolumentis empta confectaque sunt, eidem ingenuo deputentur. quae tamen universa exacto libertatis iudicio, quae a supra dictis rebus discernantur, in sequestro esse oportet, ut his ab utroque deductis atque in medio iure collocatis ad eorum proprietatem uterque contendat. <a 323 d. xv k. iun.
Those things, indeed, which have been acquired by testament or by donation, or which have been bought and made from the emoluments of those things, shall be assigned to the same freeborn man. All of these, however—once the judgment concerning liberty has been completed—which are to be distinguished from the aforesaid things, ought to be in sequestration, so that, these having been deducted by both parties and placed in common right, each may contend for their proprietorship. <a 323 d. xv k. iun.
Cum et ipse confessus es status controversiam pati, qua ratione postulas, priusquam de condicione constaret tua, accusandi tibi tribui potestatem contra eum, qui te servum esse contendit? cum igitur, sicut adlegas, statu generis fretus es , iuxta ius ordinarium praesidem pete, qui cognita prius liberali causa ex eventu iudicii, quid de crimine statuere debeat, non dubitabit. * alex.
Since you yourself have confessed that you are suffering a controversy of status, by what rationale do you request, before your condition has been established, that the power of accusing be granted to you against him who contends that you are a slave? Therefore, since, as you allege, you are relying on the status of your lineage , in accordance with the ordinary law seek the governor, who, once the question of liberty has first been examined, from the outcome of the judgment will not hesitate as to what he ought to determine concerning the charge. * alex.
Si de hereditate et libertate controversia est, prius agi causa libertatis debet. sed si de hereditate agetur, ordinanda quidem est causa libertatis, sed sufficit ei, qui libertate utitur, ad victoriam de hereditate secundum se pronuntiatum. * alex.
If there is a controversy about inheritance and liberty, the cause of liberty must be litigated first. But if suit is brought about the inheritance, the cause of liberty must indeed be set in order; yet for him who avails himself of liberty, a pronouncement in his favor suffices for victory concerning the inheritance. * alex.
Si crimen aliquod inferatur ei, quam ingenuam esse dicis, ante liberalis causa suo ordine agi debet, cognitionem suam praeside praebente, quoniam necesse est ante sciri, si delictum probatum fuerit, ut in liberam et ingenuam an ut in ancillam constitui oportet. * alex. a. valeriano.
If some charge be brought against her whom you say is freeborn, the cause of freedom must first be proceeded with in its proper order, the governor providing his own cognition, since it is necessary first to know—if the offense shall have been proved—whether she ought to be determined as a freewoman and freeborn or as a bondwoman. * Alexander to Valerianus.
Quod si ideo te ab accusatione elidet, quasi servum non proprium sed alienum, liberale quidem iudicium cessat, causae autem examinatio apud eum qui iudicat ostendet, utrumne accusatio induci debeat propter statum personae, an evanescat. <a 239 d. x k. dec. gordiano a. et aviola conss.>
But if for that reason he excludes you from the accusation, as though the slave were not your own but another’s, the liberal judgment indeed ceases; however, the examination of the cause before the one who judges will show whether the accusation ought to be induced on account of the status of the person, or should vanish. <in the year 239, on the 10th day before the Kalends of December, Gordianus Augustus and Aviola consuls.>
Cum status quaestionem tibi moveri et te debita velle petere commemores, ordinarium est prius sollemnibus interpositis, si hoc iuris admiserit ratio, causam liberalem apud praesidem provinciae decidi, ut, si liber fueris vel servus non esse pronuntiatus, tunc tibi iure debita restitui iubeat, cum hoc incerto, utrumne tibi libero constituto an domino tuo, si servum te sententia declaraverit, debeatur, ad solutionem debitorem tuum urgueri non oporteat. * diocl. et maxim.
Since you mention that a question of status is being raised for you and that you wish to seek the debts due, it is the ordinary course that, the solemnities first interposed, if the reason of law admits this, the liberty case be decided before the governor of the province, so that, if you shall be free or pronounced not to be a slave, then he may order the debts due to be restored to you by right; while this is uncertain—whether, once you are established as free, it is owed to you, or to your master, if the judgment shall declare you a slave—your debtor ought not to be pressed to payment. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Si res tuas raptas vel amotas esse dicis ab his, quos servos tuos esse contendis , hique in libertatem proclamaverunt, causa liberalis prius adversus eos et tunc damni dati rerumque amotarum lis apud praesidem provinciae contestanda est, ut, si quidem liberi vel servi non esse pronuntientur, tunc demum damni dati et amotarum rerum procedere possit adhibita probatione condemnatio, si vero secus, quaestio rerum amotarum evanescat. * diocl. et maxim.
If you say that your goods have been carried off or removed by those whom you contend to be your slaves, and these have proclaimed for freedom, the freedom case (causa liberalis) must first be joined against them, and then the suit for damnum datum and for removed things must be formally contested before the provincial praeses, so that, if indeed they are pronounced to be free or not to be slaves, then at last condemnation for damnum datum and for removed things may proceed upon proof being adduced; but if otherwise, the inquiry concerning the removed things vanishes. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Si quando negotium status fuerit exortum, si ab eius parte qui dicitur servus aliquid dicatur dominus abripuisse, prius considerari placet, utrum de possessione servitutis in libertatem reclamandum putet an vero ex possessione libertatis in servitutem vocatur. * const. a. ad bassum.
If ever a status proceeding shall have arisen, if it is alleged, on the part of him who is said to be a slave, that the master has snatched something away, it is our pleasure that it be first considered whether he thinks that one must reclaim from the possession of servitude into freedom, or indeed he is called from the possession of freedom into servitude. * a constitution of the Augustus to Bassus.
Quod si ei qui ad servitutem vocatur quicquam direptum esse memoretur, universa quae constiterit ablata ita demum reddi convenit ei, qui servus esse contenditur , si modo salvam rem futuram per idoneos fideiussores promiserit. <a 317 - 319? >
But if it is reported that anything has been plundered from him who is called to servitude, the whole of what has been established as taken away is then and only then fitting to be returned to him, who is contended to be a slave , provided that he has promised through suitable sureties (fidejussors) that the property will be safe. <a 317 - 319? >
Nam si tales non potuerit dare, tunc ea convenit, de quibus in iudicio tractabitur, sequestrari in eum diem, in quo controversia sopietur, ita ut ex isdem, si alia facultas esse non poterit, tantum litis sumptibus et alimoniae hominis subministretur, quantum moderato iudicis arbitrio fuerit aestimatum. <a 317 - 319? >
For if he should not be able to provide such [sureties], then it is agreed that the things about which there will be treatment in court are to be sequestered until the day on which the controversy shall be quieted, so that from those same things, if no other means can be had, there be supplied only as much for the costs of the suit and the man’s sustenance as shall have been assessed by the moderate discretion of the judge. <a 317 - 319? >
( 1) cum autem necdum lite de statu mota res ab aliquo direptae sint et sententia de restituenda possessione rerum lata ille, ne sententiae satisfieret, de statu controversiam movit, necessitatem habebit et sine satisdatione easdem res reddere et tunc causam liberalem secundum iuris ordinem exercere. <a 317 - 319? >
( 1) but when, with the suit about status not yet set in motion, things have been snatched away by someone, and a judgment has been rendered for restoring possession of the things, and he, so that the judgment might not be satisfied, has stirred a controversy about status, he will be under necessity both to return the same things without surety and then to prosecute the cause of liberty according to the order of law. <a 317 - 319? >
Cum servum matris tuae et stupro violasse dominam suam et turpis coniunctionis maculam excogitandae ingenuitatis collusione ac falsae captivitatis velamento apud competentem iudicem obtegere voluisse proponas nec libertatem ei matrem tuam dedisse, sed in solam ingenuitatem eum nudae voluntatis mendacio producere enisam adseveres, servum esse palam est, quando etiam divi pii rescriptum super captivitate emissum, quam non intercessisse significas, ingenuum fecisse non videatur, nec adseveratio consensus tui ingenuitatis ius tribuere potuit. * diocl. et maxim.
Since you allege that your mother’s slave both defiled his mistress by stuprum and wished to cover over the stain of a shameful conjunction before the competent judge by a collusion contrived for procuring freeborn status and by the veil of a false captivity, and that your mother did not give him freedom, but you assert that she strove to put him forward into freeborn status only by the falsehood of naked will, it is plain that he is a slave, since even the rescript of the deified Pius issued concerning captivity—which you indicate did not occur—does not appear to have made him freeborn, nor could the asseveration of your consent bestow the right of freeborn condition. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Aditus competens iudex causam praescriptionis examinabit et, si domitiae patronum, qui civis romanus in diem mortis vixit, ante quinque annos, quam lis bonorum mulieris inchoaretur, vita decessisse constiterit, libertae status ex persona manumissoris non retractabitur. * sev. et ant.
The competent judge, when approached, will examine the cause of prescription; and, if it has been established that Domitia’s patron, who lived as a Roman citizen up to the day of his death, departed this life more than five years before the lawsuit concerning the woman’s goods was inchoated (initiated), the status of the freedwoman, from the person of the manumitter, will not be retracted. * Severus and Antoninus.
Si is, qui te heredem fecit, propter matris condicionem servus dicitur et mater ante quinque annos litis motae vita decessit, praescriptioni locus erit, cum quaeri de statu non possit, nisi de condicione matris retractaretur. haec ita, si, quamdiu vixit, sine interpellatione ut civis romana egit. * sev.
If he who made you heir is said to be a slave on account of his mother’s condition, and the mother departed life more than five years before the suit was set in motion, there will be place for prescription, since inquiry concerning status cannot be made unless the mother’s condition were re-examined. This holds thus, if, for as long as she lived, without interpellation she acted as a Roman citizen. * sev.
Quamvis defunctus sit maritus quondam tuus, cui status quaestio inferebatur, causa tamen etiam post obitum eius propter emolumentum successionis durat eamque apud eum, qui de hereditate vel de singulis rebus iudicaturus est, decidi oportet. * alex. a. olympiadi.
Although your former husband, against whom a question of status was being brought, has died, nevertheless the case, even after his death, endures on account of the emolument of succession, and it ought to be decided before the one who is going to judge concerning the inheritance or concerning individual items. * alexander the augustus to olympias.
Si is, quem servum tuum fuisse et a fratre tuo manumissum atque heredem scriptum proponis, ut civis romanus vixit nec intra quinquennium post mortem eius status quaestionem movere coepisti, intellegis neque heredibus ab eo scriptis neque his, quos liberos esse voluit, controversiam te contra formam senatus consulti facere posse. * alex. a. marciano.
If the person whom you allege to have been your slave, and to have been manumitted by your brother and written as heir, lived as a Roman citizen, and you did not begin to bring a status-inquiry within five years after his death, you understand that you cannot, contrary to the form of the senatorial decree, raise a dispute either against the heirs written by him or against those whom he wished to be free. * Alexander Augustus to Marcianus.
Quod si prius, quam id spatium temporis excederet, agere coepisti, et peculium eius more iudiciorum persequi et cum manumissis ordinata lite secundum formam edicti experiri non prohiberis. <a 228 pp. v id. iun. modesto et probo conss.>
But if, before that span of time elapsed, you began to bring the action, you are not prohibited to pursue his peculium in the customary mode of proceedings and to proceed against the manumitted, with the suit duly arranged, according to the form of the edict. <a 228 pp. v id. iun. modesto et probo conss.>
Si pater tuus veluti ingenuus vixit nec status controversiam, quasi fisci servus esset, apud praesidem provinciae, qui super huiusmodo quaestionibus iudicare solet, sed apud curatorem rei publicae non competentem iudicem passus est, postque mortem eius quinquennium fluxit, status tuus ex praescriptione, quae ex senatus consulto emanat, protectus est. * diocl. et maxim.
If your father lived as though freeborn and did not undergo a controversy over status, as if he were a slave of the fisc (imperial treasury), before the provincial governor, who is accustomed to judge concerning questions of this sort, but [only] before the curator of the municipality, a judge not competent, and after his death a five-year period has elapsed, your status is protected by the prescription which emanates from the senatorial decree. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Repetitio peculii rerum servi tui, si nullo iusto titulo intercedente corpora ab aliquo possideantur, nulla temporis praescriptione mutilabitur. nec enim senatus consultum, quo super non retractandis defunctorum statibus sancitum est, intervenit, si defunctus in fuga conversatus atque latitans decessit. * diocl.
Repetition (recovery) of the peculium of your slave, if the corporeal things are possessed by someone with no just title intervening, will be curtailed by no prescription of time. nor indeed does the senatus consultum, by which it was sanctioned concerning not re-examining the statuses of deceased persons, intervene, if the deceased died while in flight and in hiding. * diocl.
Praestat firmam defensionem libertatis ex iusto initio longo tempore obtenta possessio. favor enim libertatibus debitus et salubris iam pridem ratio suasit, ut his, qui bona fide in possessione libertatis per viginti annorum spatium sine interpellatione morati essent, praescriptio adversus inquietudinem status eorum prodesse deberet, ut et liberi et cives fiant romani. * diocl.
Possession, obtained over a long time from a just inception, affords a firm defense of liberty. For the favor owed to liberties and a salutary rationale long ago persuaded that for those who had remained in the possession of liberty in good faith for the span of twenty years without interruption, prescription ought to be of benefit against a disturbance of their status, so that they become both free and Roman citizens. * diocl.
Longe diversam causam eorum, qui a superstitibus manumittuntur, item illorum, quibus testamento libertas relinquitur, esse dissimulare non debueras, cum superiore quidem casu concessum tacite peculium, si non adimatur, posteriore vero, nisi specialiter fuerit datum, penes successorem remanere sit iuris evidentis. * diocl. et maxim.
You ought not to have dissimulated that the condition of those who are manumitted by the living is far different, as also of those to whom liberty is left by testament; since in the former case the peculium tacitly conceded, if it is not taken away, remains, whereas in the latter, unless it has been specially given, it remains with the successor—this is a matter of evident law. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Cum in nostris temporibus, in quibus multos labores pro libertate subiectorum sustinuimus, satis esse impium credidimus quasdam mulieres libertate sua fraudari et, quod ab hostium ferocitate contra naturalem libertatem inductum est, hoc a libidine nequissimorum hominum inferri, claudianum senatus consultum et omnem eius observationem circa denuntiationes et iudicium sententias conquiescere in posterum volumus, ne, quae libera constituta est, vel semel decepta vel infelici cupidine capta vel alio quocumque modo contra natalium suorum ingenuitatem deducatur in servitutem et sit pessimum dedecus cognationis suae fulgori, ut, quae forsitan decoratos dignitatibus habeat cognatos, haec in alienum cadat dominium et dominum pertimescat forsitan cognatis suis inferiorem. quod et in libertis observari oportet: semel etenim libertate potitam per tale dedecus in servitutem reduci religio temporum meorum nullo patitur modo. * iust.
Since in our times, in which we have sustained many labors for the liberty of our subjects, we have judged it sufficiently impious that certain women be defrauded of their liberty and that what was introduced by the ferocity of enemies against natural liberty be brought in by the lust of most wicked men, we will that the Claudian senatorial decree and all its observance, concerning denunciations and judicial sentences, cease for the future, lest she who has been established free, whether once deceived or seized by unhappy desire or in any other way, be led down into servitude contrary to the ingenuousness of her birth, and there be the worst disgrace to the splendor of her kinship, namely that she who perhaps has kinsmen decorated with dignities should fall into another’s dominion and dread as master one perhaps inferior to her kinsmen. This is also to be observed in the case of freedpersons: for once having obtained liberty, to be led back into servitude through such disgrace the reverence of my times in no way permits. * iust.
Sed ne servi vel adscripticii putent sibi impunitum esse tale conamen, quod maxime in adscripticios verendum est, ne liberarum mulierum nuptiis ab his excogitatis paulatim huiusmodi hominum condicio decrescat, sancimus, si quid tale fuerit vel a servo vel adscripticio perpetratum, liberam habere potestatem dominium eius sive per se sive per praesidem provinciae talem servum vel adscripticium castigatione competenti corrigere et abstrahere a tali muliere. quod si neglexerit, sciat in suum damnum huiusmodi desidiam reversuram. <a 531-534 >
But lest slaves or adscripticii think such an attempt to be without impunity for themselves—something most to be feared in the case of adscripticii, lest by nuptials of free women, contrived by them, the condition of men of this sort should gradually decrease—we sanction that, if anything of the kind shall have been perpetrated either by a slave or an adscripticius, the ownership over him shall have free power, either by itself or through the governor of the province, to correct such a slave or adscripticius with competent castigation and to withdraw him from such a woman. But if he shall have neglected it, let him know that such sloth will revert to his own loss. <a 531-534 >
Antiquae subtilitatis ludibrium per hanc decisionem expellentes nullam esse differentiam patimur inter dominos, apud quos vel nudum ex iure quiritium vel tantummodo in bonis reperitur, quia nec huiusmodi esse volumus distinctionem nec ex iure quiritum nomen, quod nihil aenigmate discrepat nec umquam videtur neque in rebus apparet, sed est vacuum et superfluum verbum, per quod animi iuvenum, qui ad primam veniunt legum audientiam, perterriti ex primis eorum cunabulis inutiles legis antiquae dispositiones accipiunt. sed sit plenissimus et legitimus quisque dominus sive servi sui sive aliarum rerum ad se pertinentium. * iust.
Expelling the mockery of ancient subtlety by this decision, we allow that there is no difference between owners, in whose case either a naked right of the Quirites or only an in-bonis title is found; for we wish neither such a distinction to exist nor even the name ius Quiritium, which differs nothing from an enigma and is never seen nor appears in things, but is an empty and superfluous word, by which the minds of youths who come to the first hearing of the laws, being terrified from their very cradles, receive the useless dispositions of the ancient law. But let each owner be most complete and legitimate, whether of his own slave or of other things pertaining to him. * iust.
Si matrem eius, cuius nomine quaestionem pati dicis, bona fide emptam possidere coepisti, etiamsi ipsa in causam furtivam incidit, tamen postea conceptum apud te partum usucapere potuisti. * alex. a. nepotillae.
If you began to possess, as purchased in good faith, the mother of him in whose name you say you are undergoing examination, even if she herself fell into the case of stolen property, nevertheless you could usucapture the offspring conceived afterwards and born in your possession. * alex. a. to nepotilla.
Venditioni ancillae consensum dedisse diversam partem si probaveris, retractando contractum, quem ipsa ratum habuit, non audietur. sed et hac probatione cessante si bona fide emptam ancillam venditore bona fide distrahente temporis spatio usuceperis, intentio proprietatem vindicantis tenere non potest. * alex.
If you prove that the other party gave consent to the sale of the handmaid, she will not be heard in retracting a contract which she herself ratified. But even if this proof fails, if you have usucapted, over a period of time, a handmaid bought in good faith, with the seller in good faith alienating her, the claim of one vindicating ownership cannot prevail. * alex.
Si partem possessionis mala fide possessor venumdedit, id quidem, quod ab ipso tenetur, omnimodo cum fructibus recipi potest, portio autem, quae distracta est, ita demum recte petitur a possidente, si sciens alienam comparavit vel bona fide emptor nondum complevit usucapionem. * gord. a. marino.
If a possessor in bad faith has sold a part of the possession, that, indeed, which is held by himself can in every way be recovered with the fruits; but the portion which has been alienated is then and only then rightly sought from the possessor, if he acquired it knowing it to be another’s, or if the buyer in good faith has not yet completed usucapion. * gord. a. marino.
Eum, qui a pupillo sine tutoris auctoritate distrahente comparavit, nullum temporis spatium defendit. sed si locupletior factus emptoris pecunia post pubertatem occasionem iuris ad iniquum trahat compendium, doli mali submovebitur exceptione. * diocl.
No span of time protects him who purchased from a ward selling without the guardian’s authority. But if, having become more affluent by the buyer’s money after puberty, he should draw the occasion of the law toward an inequitable profit, he will be repelled by the exception of dolus malus. * Diocletian.
Iam pridem quidem mancipium, de quo supplicas, comparasse te dicis: sed si cogitaveris fisci mei rem usucapi non posse, respondere te actionibus fisci mei intellegis nec alias posse proprietatem obtinere, quam si non ex ancilla fiscali natum fuisse constiterit. * alex. a. onesimae.
Long ago indeed you say you bought the mancipium about which you petition: but if you consider that a thing of my fisc cannot be acquired by usucapion, you understand that you must respond to the actions of my fisc, nor can you otherwise obtain proprietorship than if it be established that it was not born from a fiscal maidservant. * Alexander Augustus to Onesima.
Cum nostri animi vigilantia ex iure quiritum nomen et substantiam sustulerit et communes exceptiones in omni loco valeant, id est decem vel viginti vel triginta annorum vel si quae sunt aliae maioris aevi continentes prolixitatem, satis inutile est usucapionem in italicis quidem solis rebus admittere, in provincialibus autem recludere. sed et si quis res alienas, italicas tamen, bona fide possidebat per biennium, miseri rerum domini excludebantur et nullus eis ad eas reservabatur regressus. quae et nescientibus dominis procedebant: quo nihil inhumanius erat, si homo absens et nesciens tam angusto tempore suis cadebat possessionibus.
Since the vigilance of our mind has removed the name and the substance from Quiritary law, and common exceptions (defenses) are valid in every place, that is, of ten or twenty or thirty years, or if there are others containing the prolongation of a greater age, it is quite useless to admit usucapion in Italic things alone, but to shut it out in provincial things. But also if someone possessed another’s things—yet Italic—in good faith for a biennium, the wretched owners of the things were excluded and no return to them was reserved. And these results went forward even with the owners not knowing: than which nothing was more inhuman, if a man absent and unknowing in so narrow a time fell from his possessions.
Ideo per praesentem legem et in italicis solis rebus, quae immobiles sunt vel esse intelleguntur, sicut annalem exceptionem, ita et usucapionem transformandam esse censemus, ut tantummodo et hic decem vel viginti annorum vel triginta et aliarum exceptionum tempora currant, huiusmodi angustiis penitus semotis. <a 531 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Therefore by the present law we judge that, in the Italian sphere alone and for things which are immovables or are understood to be such, just as the annual exception, so also usucaption is to be transformed, so that here too only the periods of ten or twenty years or thirty, and the periods of the other exceptions, shall run, constraints of this sort being entirely removed. <a 531, on the 15th day before the Kalends of November, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most illustrious men.>
Cum autem antiqui et in rebus mobilibus vel se moventibus, quae fuerant alienatae vel quocumque modo, bona fide tamen, detentae, usucapionem extendebant, non in italico solo nexu, sed in omnem orbem terrarum, et hanc annali tempore concludebant, et eam duximus esse corrigendam, ut, si quis alienam rem mobilem seu se moventem in quacumque terra sive italica sive provinciali bona fide per continuum triennium detinuerit, is firmo iure eam possideat, quasi per usucapionem ei adquisitam. <a 531 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
But whereas the ancients also extended usucapion to movable things or self-moving things which had been alienated, or in whatever manner held, yet in good faith, not bound to Italian soil alone, but to the whole orb of the lands, and they limited this by an annual period, we have deemed it to be corrected, so that, if anyone shall have detained another’s movable or self-moving thing in whatever land, whether Italian or provincial, in good faith for a continuous triennium, he shall possess it with firm right, as if acquired to him through usucapion. <a 531 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Hoc tantummodo observando, ut in his omnibus casibus ab initio bona fide eam capiat, secundum quod exigit longi temporis praescriptio, et ut continuetur ei possessio etiam anterioris iusti possessoris et connumeretur in decennium vel viginti annorum spatium vel triennium, quod in rebus mobilibus observandum esse censemus, ut in omnibus iusto titulo possessionis antecessoris iusta detentio, quam in re habuit, non interrumpatur ex posteriore forsitan alienae rei scientia, licet ex titulo lucrativo ea coepta est. <a 531 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Only this being observed: that in all these cases he take it from the beginning in good faith, according as long-term prescription requires; and that the possession even of the prior just possessor be continued to him and be counted together into the span of ten years or twenty years, or three years, which we judge must be observed in movable things; so that in all cases, under a just title of the predecessor’s possession, the just detention which he had in the thing is not interrupted by later knowledge, perhaps, of the thing being another’s, although it was begun from a lucrative title. <a 531 on the fifteenth day before the Kalends of November, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Cum etiam res dividi mancipi et nec mancipi sane antiquum est et merito antiquari oportet, sit et rebus et locis omnibus similis ordo, inutilibus ambiguitatibus et differentiis sublatis. <a 531 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Since moreover the division of things into res mancipi and res nec mancipi is plainly ancient and ought deservedly to be antiquated, let there be a similar order for all things and all places, with useless ambiguities and distinctions removed. <a 531 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Minus instructus est, qui te sollicitum reddidit, quasi in vacuam possessionem eius, quod per procuratorem emisti, non sis inductus, cum ipse proponas diu te in possessione fuisse omniaque ut dominum gessisse. licet enim instrumento non sit comprehensum, quod tibi tradita sit possessio, ipsa tamen rei veritate id consecutus es, si sciente venditore in possessione fuisti. * alex.
He is less well-instructed who has made you anxious, as though you had not been inducted into vacant possession of that which you purchased through a procurator, since you yourself allege that you were long in possession and have done everything as owner. For although it is not contained in the instrument that possession was delivered to you, nevertheless by the very truth of the matter you have obtained this, if you were in possession with the vendor’s knowledge. * alex.
Donatarum rerum a quacumque persona infanti vacua possessio tradita corpore quaeritur. quamvis enim sint auctorum sententiae dissentientes, tamen consultius videtur interim, licet animi plenus non fuisset adfectus, possessionem per traditionem esse quaesitam: alioquin, sicuti viri consultissimi papiniani responso continetur, ne quidem per tutorem possessio infanti poterit adquiri. * dec.
The vacant possession of things donated by any person to an infant is acquired by corporeal delivery. For although the opinions of the authorities are dissentient, nevertheless it seems more advisable for the time being that, even if a full affect of mind (animus) had not been present, possession has been acquired through traditio (delivery); otherwise, as is contained in the responsum of the most learned jurist Papinian, not even through a tutor could possession be acquired for an infant. * dec.
Licet possessio nudo animo adquiri non possit, tamen solo animo retineri potest. si igitur desertam praediorum possessionem non derelinquendi adfectione transacto tempore non coluisti, sed ex metus necessitate culturam eorum distulisti, praeiudicium tibi ex transmissi temporis iniuria generari non potest. * diocl.
Although possession cannot be acquired by bare intention, nevertheless it can be retained by intention alone. If, therefore, you did not cultivate the possession of the estates, left deserted, during the time that passed from an intention of not abandoning them, but deferred their cultivation out of necessity because of fear (duress), prejudice cannot be generated against you from the injury of the time that has elapsed. * diocl.
Cum nemo causam sibi possessionis mutare possit proponasque colonum nulla extrinsecus accedente causa ex colendi occasione ad iniquae venditionis vitium esse prolapsum, praeses provinciae inquisita fide veri domini tui ius convelli non sinet. * diocl. et maxim.
Since no one can change for himself the cause of his possession, and you allege that a colonus (tenant‑farmer), with no supervening cause from without, has from the occasion of cultivating slipped into the vice of an inequitable sale, the governor of the province, after inquiring into good faith, will not allow your right, as true owner, to be torn apart. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Nec ex vera venditione possessionem, quam non fuerat emptor adeptus, improbe retinere potest: ac multo minus is, qui adseveratione falsa velut emptor, cum sine obligatione pignoris pecuniam mutuo dedisset, fundum inrumpens alienum retinendi iustam habet causam. * diocl. et maxim.
Nor, from a true sale, can he improperly retain the possession which the purchaser had not acquired: and much less has he a just cause for retaining it who, by a false asseveration as though a purchaser, when he had given money by way of loan without a pledge obligation, breaks into another’s estate. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Nemo ambigit possessionis duplicem esse rationem, aliam quae iure consistit, aliam quae corpore, utramque autem ita demum esse legitimam, cum omnium adversariorum silentio ac taciturnitate firmetur: interpellatione vero et controversia progressa non posse eum intellegi possessorem, qui, licet corpore teneat, tamen ex interposita contestatione et causa in iudicium deducta super iure possessionis vacillet ac dubitet. * const. a. ad maternum.
No one doubts that the rationale of possession is twofold: one which consists in right (in law), another which consists in body (in fact); and that each is legitimate only when it is made firm by the silence and taciturnity of all adversaries: but once an interpellation has occurred and controversy has advanced, he cannot be understood as a possessor who, although he holds in body, nevertheless, by the interposed contestation and the cause brought into judgment, vacillates and doubts concerning the right of possession. * const. a. to Maternus.
Ex libris sabinianis quaestionem in divinas nostri numinis aures relatam tollentes definimus, ut sive servus sive procurator vel colonus vel inquilinus vel quispiam alius, per quem licentia est nobis possidere, corporaliter nactam possessionem cuiuscumque rei eam derelinquerit vel alii prodiderit, desidia forte vel dolo, ut locus aperiatur alii eandem possessionem detinere, nihil penitus domino praeiudicium generetur, ne ex aliena malignitate alienum damnum emergat, sed et ipse, si liberae condicionis est, competentibus actionibus subiugetur, omni iactura ab eo restituenda domino rei vel ei, circa quem neglegenter vel dolose versatus est. * iust. a. iohanni pp. * <a 531 - 532 >
Removing a question reported from the Sabinian books into the divine ears of our numen, we define that, whether a slave or a procurator or a colonus or an inquilinus or anyone else, by whom it is licensed for us to possess, having corporally obtained possession of any thing, should abandon it or betray it to another, whether through sloth or through dolo (fraud), so that room is opened for another to detain the same possession, no prejudice at all is generated to the owner, lest from another’s malignity another’s loss should emerge; but he himself also, if of free condition, shall be subjected to the competent actions, every loss to be restored by him to the owner of the thing or to him with respect to whom he conducted himself negligently or with dolo. * Justinian Augustus to John, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 531 - 532 >
Sin autem necdum sub manibus procuratoris vel coloni vel inquilini vel servi possessio facta est, sed eam accipere desidia vel dolo supersedit, tunc ipse qui eum transmisit ex mala sua electione praeiudicium circa possessionem patiatur, ex memoratarum personarum vel machinatione vel neglegentia accedens. <a 531 - 532 >
But if possession has not yet been effected under the hands of the procurator or the colonus or the inquilinus or the slave, but he held back from receiving it through sloth or by fraud, then the very one who sent him, from his own bad choice, shall suffer prejudice concerning the possession, accruing from the machination or negligence of the aforementioned persons. <a 531 - 532 >
Hoc etenim tantummodo sancimus, ut dominus nullo modo aliquod discrimen sustineat ab his quos transmiserit, non ut etiam lucrum sibi per eos adquirat, cum et antiqua regula, quae definivit deteriorem condicionem per servum domini nullo fieri modo, tunc locum habet, cum de damno dominus periclitetur, non cum sibi lucrum per servum adquiri desiderat: salva videlicet et in hoc casu domino rei vel ei, qui ad eam detinendam praefatas transmiserit personas, adversus eas omni actione, si qua ex legibus ei competit servata. <a 531 - 532 >
For we sanction only this: that the master shall in no way sustain any prejudice from those whom he has sent, not that he should also acquire profit for himself through them; since even the ancient rule—which defined that a worse condition for the master is in no way to be made through a slave—has place when the master is imperiled as to loss, not when he desires that profit be acquired for himself through the slave: saving, namely, even in this case to the owner of the thing, or to him who for the purpose of detaining it has transmitted the aforesaid persons, every action against them, if any under the laws is competent to him, being preserved. <a 531 - 532 >
Cum post motam et omissam quaestionem res ad nova dominia bona fide transierint et exinde novi viginti anni intercesserint sine interpellatione, non est inquietanda quae nunc possidet persona, quae sicut accessione prioris domini non utitur, qui est inquietatus, ita nec impedienda est, quod ei mota controversia sit. * sev. et ant.
After, a suit having been set in motion and then abandoned, the thing has passed in good faith to new ownership, and thereafter a new twenty years have intervened without interpellation, the person who now possesses is not to be disquieted, who, just as he does not use the accession of the prior owner who was disturbed, so neither is to be impeded because a controversy has been moved against him. * Severus and Antoninus.
Super longi temporis praescriptione, quae ex decem vel viginti annis introducitur, perspicuo iure sancimus, ut, sive ex donatione sive ex alia lucrativa causa bona fide quis per decem vel viginti annos rem detinuisse probetur, adiecto scilicet etiam tempore prioris possessoris, memorata longi temporis exceptio sine dubio ei competat nec occasione lucrativae causae repellatur. * iust. a. menae pp. * <a 528 d. k. iun.
Concerning the long-time prescription, which is introduced from ten or twenty years, we sanction by manifest law that, whether from donation or from another lucrative cause, if someone is proved in good faith to have held the thing for ten or twenty years, with, of course, the time of the prior possessor also added, the aforesaid long-time exception shall without doubt belong to him, nor shall he be repelled on the pretext of the lucrative cause. * Justinian Augustus to Mena, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 528 on the day before the Kalends of June
Cum in longi temporis praescriptione tres emergebant veteribus ambiguitates, prima proter res, ubi positae sunt, secunda propter personas, sive utriusque sive alterutrius praesentiam exigimus, et tertiae, si in eadem provincia vel si in eadem civitate debent esse personae tam petentis quam possidentis et res, pro quibus certatur: omnes praesentis legis amplectimur definitione, ut nihil citra eam relinquatur. * iust. a. iohanni pp. * <a 531 d.V k.Dec.Constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv.Cc. >
Since in the prescription of long time three ambiguities were emerging for the ancients—the first on account of the things, where they are situated; the second on account of the persons, whether we require the presence of both or of either; and the third, whether the persons both of the claimant and of the possessor, and the things over which there is litigation, ought to be in the same province or in the same city—we embrace all by the definition of the present law, so that nothing be left outside it. * Justinian Augustus to John, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 531 on the 5th day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men. >
Sancimus itaque debere in huiusmodi specie utriusque personae tam petentis quam possidentis spectari domicilium, ut tam is qui dominii vel hypothecae quaestionem inducit quam is qui res possidet domicilium in uno habeant loco, id est in una provincia. hoc etenim nobis magis eligendum videtur, ut non civitate concludatur domicilium, sed magis provincia, et si uterque domicilium in eadem habet provincia, causam inter praesentes esse videri et decennio agentem excludi. <a 531 d.V k.Dec.Constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv.Cc. >
We ordain, therefore, that in a case of this kind the domicile of both persons—both of the claimant and of the possessor—must be considered, so that both he who introduces the question of dominion or of hypothec and he who possesses the thing have their domicile in one place, that is, in one province. For this seems to us rather to be chosen: that domicile be not confined by city, but rather by province; and if each has domicile in the same province, the cause is deemed to be among those present, and the party acting is excluded by the ten-year term. <a 531 d.V k.Dec.Constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv.Cc. >
Sin autem non in eadem provincia uterque domicilium habeat, sed alter in alia, alius in altera, tunc ut inter absentes causam disceptari et locum esse viginti annorum exceptioni. nihil enim prohibet, sive in eadem provincia res constitutae sint sive in alia, super his controversiam in iudicio provinciali moveri et multo magis in hac florentissima civitate. <a 531 d.V k.Dec.Constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv.Cc. >
But if, however, not in the same province each has a domicile, but one in one, the other in another, then the cause is to be adjudicated as between absentees and there is place for the twenty-year exception. For nothing prevents, whether the matters are constituted in the same province or in another, that a controversy over these be moved in the provincial court, and much more in this most flourishing city. <a 531 on the 5th day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men. >
Quid enim prodest in ipsa provincia esse possessionem an in alia, cum ius vindicationis incorporale est et, ubicumque res positae sunt, et dominium earum et vinculum ad dominum vel creditorem possit reverti? ideo enim nostri maiores subtilissimo animo et divino quodam motu ad actiones et earum iura pervenerunt, ut incorporales constitutae possint ubicumque ius suum et effectum corporalem extendere. <a 531 d.V k.Dec.Constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv.Cc. >
For what does it profit that the possession is in the province itself or in another, since the right of vindication is incorporeal and, wherever the things are situated, both their ownership and the bond to the owner or to the creditor can revert? For this reason our elders, with a most subtle mind and by a certain divine impulse, arrived at the actions and their rights, so that things established as incorporeals might be able everywhere to extend their own right and corporeal effect. <a 531 on the 5th day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men. >
Sit igitur secundum hanc definitionem causa perfectissime composita et nemo posthac dubitet, neque inter praesentes neque inter absentes quid statuendum sit, ut bono initio et possessione tenentis et utriusque partis domicilio requisito sit expedita quaestio pro rebus ubicumque positis, nulla scientia vel ignorantia expectanda, ne altera dubitationis inextricabilis oriatur occasio. <a 531 d.V k.Dec.Constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv.Cc. >
Let the case, therefore, according to this definition, be most perfectly settled, and let no one hereafter doubt—neither among those present nor among those absent—what is to be determined, so that, with a good inception and with the possession of the holder and with the domicile of each party required, the question may be expedited for things wherever situated, with no knowledge or ignorance to be awaited, lest another occasion of inextricable doubt arise. <a 531 on the 5th day before the Kalends of December at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most illustrious men.>
Unus individuum commune pro solido possidens intervallo temporis, quominus socius portionem vindicare vel eum communi dividundo iudicio provocare possit, non defenditur, cum neque familiae erciscundae iudicium neque communi dividundo actio excluditur longi temporis praescriptione. * diocl. et maxim.
One who possesses an undivided common property as for the whole (in solidum) is not protected by a lapse of time from a partner’s being able to vindicate his portion or to summon him by the action for dividing the common property (communi dividundo), since neither the suit for partition of an inheritance (iudicium familiae erciscundae) nor the action for dividing the common property (actio communi dividundo) is excluded by the long-time prescription. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Hereditatem quidem petentibus longi temporis praescriptio nocere non potest. verum his, qui nec pro herede nec pro possessore, sed pro emptore vel donato seu alio titulo res quae hereditariae sunt vel fuerunt possident, cum ab his successio vindicari non possit, nihil haec iuris definitio noceat. * diocl.
Indeed, to those seeking an inheritance, the prescription of long time cannot harm. But as for those who possess things which are or were hereditary, not as heir nor as possessor, but as purchaser or as donee or under another title, since succession cannot be vindicated from them, let this definition of law harm them in nothing. * Diocl.
Si puerum non pro derelicto habitum, sed ab hostibus vulneratum sumptibus tuis, sicut adseveras, liberum existimans curasti longi temporis praescriptione, quominus dominus eius offerens erogata recte vindicet, defendi non potes. * diocl. et maxim.
If you, not treating the boy as abandoned but as wounded by enemies, cared for him at your own expense—as you assert—supposing him to be free, you cannot be defended by the prescription of long time so as to prevent his owner, upon offering the expenditures laid out, from rightfully vindicating him. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Cum per absentiam tuam eos, de quibus quereris, in res iuris tui inruisse adseveres teque ob medendi curam comitatu nostro discedere non posse palam sit, praefectus praetorio nostro accitis his quos causa contingit inter vos cognoscet. * diocl. et maxim.
Since you assert that during your absence those about whom you complain have invaded property belonging to your legal right, and since it is clear that, on account of the care of healing, you are not able to depart from our retinue, our Praetorian Prefect, having summoned those whom the case concerns, will take cognizance between you. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Non necessario autem petis ex longi temporis diurnitate praescriptionem tibi non opponi, quando iustae absentiae ratio et necessitatis publicae obsequium ab huiusmodi praeiudicio te defendat. <a 286 pp.Xii k.Mart.Nicomediae maximo ii et aquilino conss.>
However, you do not ask without necessity that, from the long duration of time, a prescription not be opposed to you, since the ground of a just absence and obedience to public necessity defend you from a prejudgment of this kind. <a 286 on the 12th day before the Kalends of March,Nicomedia,in the consulship of Maximus for the 2nd time and Aquilinus, consuls.>
Ab hostibus captus ac postliminio reversus actione in rem directa vel qualibet alia dominium vindicando temporis adversarii possessionem frustra times, cum adversos eos, qui restitutionis auxilio quacumque ratione iuvantur, huiusmodi factum non opituletur. * diocl. et maxim.
Captured by enemies and returned by postliminium, when vindicating ownership (dominium) by an action in rem or by any other, you needlessly fear the adversary’s possession of time, since a fact of this sort does not avail against those who are aided by the help of restitution in whatever way. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Praescriptione bona fide possidentes adversus praesentem annorum decem, absentem autem viginti muniuntur. quod tempus, si ex alicuius persona de petitorum parte restitutionis praetendatur auxilium, deducto eo, quo, si quid fuerit gestum, succurri solet, residuum computari rationis est. * diocl.
By prescription those possessing in good faith are fortified against a present [claimant] for ten years, but against an absent [claimant] for twenty. As to that time, if on account of someone’s person on the petitioners’ side the aid of restitution is alleged, after deducting that period during which, if anything has been transacted, it is customary to grant succor, it is reasonable that the residue be computed. * diocl.
Sancimus his solis militibus, qui expeditionibus occupati sunt, ea tantummodo tempora, quae in eadem expeditione percurrunt, in exceptionibus declinandis opitulari: illis temporibus, per quae citra expeditionum necessitatem in aliis locis vel in suis aedibus degunt, minime eos ad vindicandum hoc privilegium adiuvantibus. * iust. a. menae pp. * <a 529 d. k. april.
We ordain that for those soldiers alone who are occupied with expeditions, only those periods which they pass on that same expedition shall be of assistance in avoiding exceptions; the periods during which, without the necessity of expeditions, they spend time in other places or in their own houses shall in no way assist them to vindicate this privilege. * Justinian Augustus to Mena, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 529 on the Kalends of April.
Diuturnum silentium longi temporis praescriptione corroboratum creditoribus pignus persequentibus inefficacem actionem constituit, praeterquam si debitores vel qui in iura eorum successerunt obligatae rei possessioni incumbant. ubi autem creditori a possessore longi temporis praescriptio obicitur, personalis actio adversus debitorem salva ei competit. * gord.
Prolonged silence, corroborated by the prescription of long time, constitutes an ineffective action for creditors pursuing a pledge, except if the debtors, or those who have succeeded into their rights, are in possession of the obligated thing. But where the prescription of long time is objected to the creditor by the possessor, a personal action against the debtor remains to him unimpaired. * gord.
Si debitori heres non extitisti, sed iusta viginti annorum possessione collata in te donatio roborata est, neque personali actione, quia debitori non successisti, conveniri te iuris ratio permittit nec data pignori praedia post intervallum longi temporis tibi auferenda sunt, quando etiam praesentibus creditoribus decem annorum praescriptionem opponi posse tam rescriptis nostris quam priorum principum statutis probatum sit. * diocl. et maxim.
If you did not become the heir of the debtor, but the donation conferred upon you has been validated by lawful possession of twenty years, the rationale of the law does not permit you to be proceeded against by a personal action, since you did not succeed to the debtor; nor are the estates given in pledge to be taken from you after an interval of long time, since it has been proved both by our rescripts and by the enactments of earlier princes that even to present creditors a ten-year prescription can be opposed. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Notum est a fisco quaestionem post quadriennium continuum super bonis vacantibus inchoandam non esse. additum etiam est et eos, qui nostra largitate nituntur, nulla inquietudine lacessendos nec his a fisco nostro controversiam commovendam, qui quoquo modo aut titulo easdem res possederint. * const.
It is known that a proceeding by the fisc is not to be initiated, after a continuous four-year period, concerning vacant estates. It has also been added that those who rely on our largess are to be assailed by no disturbance, nor is a controversy to be raised by our fisc against those who in whatever manner or by whatever title have possessed the same things. * Constantine.
Omnes, qui quascumque res mobiles vel immobiles seu se moventes vel in actionibus aut quocumque iure constitutas a sacratissimo aerario comparaverint, eos quin etiam, quibus quaecumque res mobiles seu immobiles seu se moventes aut in actionibus vel quocumque iure constitutae munificentiae principalis nomine datae fuerint, omnibus pariter privilegiis, quae ex divinis sanctionibus inclitae recordationis leonis et nostrae pietatis super certis patrimoniis antea emptores consecuti sunt, perpotiri et ita cunctos huiusmodi beneficiis seu privilegiis perfrui, tamquam si super singulis substantiis seu patrimoniis etiam nunc vel postea data fuisset huiusmodi dispositio: nec posse contra emptores praedictarum rerum factos iam vel futuros, vel contra eos, quibus super huiusmodi rebus largitas nostra delata est vel fuerit, aliquas actiones in rem dominii vel hypothecae gratia vel in personam, civiles seu praetorias, vel ex legibus aut sacratissimis constitutionibus descendentes vel quaslibet alias, licet nominatim praesenti sanctione non sint comprehensae, moveri: data volentibus licentia intra quadriennium contra sacratissimum aerarium, si quas sibi competere actiones existimant, exercere, ita tamen, ut post elapsum quadriennium nec sacratissimum fiscum lice re sibimet quibuslibet actionibus pulsare cognoscant. * zeno a. aeneae com. rer.
All who shall have purchased from the most sacred treasury whatever things movable or immovable, or self‑moving, or constituted in actions or under any right whatsoever, and, what is more, those to whom any movable or immovable things, or self‑moving, or constituted in actions or under any right, shall have been given in the name of the principal munificence, are to have full enjoyment, and likewise let all of this sort enjoy these benefits or privileges, of all the privileges which, from the divine sanctions of Leo of illustrious memory and of our piety, purchasers previously obtained over certain patrimonies, as if such a disposition had been given even now or thereafter over each individual substance or patrimony; and that no actions can be brought against the purchasers of the aforesaid things, already made or to be made, or against those to whom our largess has been conferred or shall be conferred over such things, in rem for the sake of ownership or hypothec, or in personam, whether civil or praetorian, or descending from the laws or most sacred constitutions, or any others whatsoever, although they are not expressly included in this present sanction; permission being granted to those willing to exercise, within 4 years, against the most sacred treasury, if they think any actions belong to them—yet in such a way that, after the lapse of 4 years, let them understand that it is not permitted even to the most sacred fisc to press them with any actions. * zeno augustus to aeneas, count of the estates.
Ad haec fiscalium rerum emptoribus cum ratione iustitiae consulentes iubemus, quotiens competens scrinium gestis intervenientibus distractarum rerum pretia sese deposuerit suscepisse, minime post huiusmodi solutae pecuniae depositionem emptores quasi non numeratis pecuniis molestari vel necessitatem isdem emptoribus imponi, licet non sollemnem consecuti fuerint securitatem, soluta fuisse pretia probare. sed cum sit in arbitrio pretia suscipientis minime deponere sese quod non accepit suscepisse, ita convenit nec emptores plenissimam ex huiusmodi depositione super pretii solutione securitatem consecutos ullum ( sicut dictum est) ulterius probatione gravamen penitus formidare. <>
To these matters, consulting for purchasers of fiscal things with the reason of justice, we order that, whenever the competent bureau, the acts intervening, shall have declared that it has received the prices of the alienated things, by no means, after such a deposition of money paid, are the purchasers to be harassed as if the moneys had not been counted, nor is a necessity to be imposed on the same purchasers, although they may not have obtained the solemn security, to prove that the prices were paid. But since it is within the discretion of the recipient of the prices by no means to enter that he has received what he has not accepted, thus it is fitting that neither should the purchasers, having obtained the fullest security from such an entry concerning the payment of the price, utterly fear any further burden of proof (as has been said). <>
Bene a zenone divae memoriae fiscalibus alienationibus prospectum est, ne homines, qui ex nostro aerario donationis vel emptionis vel cuiuslibet alienationis titulo quicquam accipiunt, si quid circa contractum contrarium emerserit vel evictionis vel alterius inquietudinis gratia ad dominium vel hypothecam respiciens , aliquid sustineant detrimentum: sed adversus emptores quidem vel donationem accipientes vel per alios titulos alienationis quicquam detinentes minime quaecumque actiones moveantur, sed tantummodo contra aerarium usque ad quadriennium tantum, quo translapso neque adversus fiscum remaneat aliqua actio. * iust. a. floro com.
Rightly by Zeno of divine memory provision was made for fiscal alienations, lest persons who from our treasury receive anything under the title of donation or purchase or of any alienation, if anything contrary should emerge concerning the contract, or for the sake of eviction or some other disquiet having regard to ownership or hypothec , should sustain any detriment: but against purchasers indeed or those receiving a donation or holding anything through other titles of alienation, let no actions whatsoever be set in motion, but only against the treasury for up to four years only, upon the lapse of which no action remains even against the fisc. * iustinian augustus to florus, count.
Sed scimus hoc quidem in fiscalibus alienationibus naviter observari, sed non simili modo rem fuisse observatam circa eas res, quae a sacratissimis imperatoribus non a fiscalibus rebus, sed ex privata eorum substantia procedunt. <a 531 d. v k. dec. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
But we know that this indeed is diligently observed in fiscal alienations, yet that the matter has not been observed in a similar way concerning those things which proceed from the most sacred emperors, not from fiscal resources, but out of their private substance. <in the year 531, on the fifth day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Quod satis inrationabile est. quae enim differentia intoducitur, cum omnia principis esse intellegantur, sive a sua substantia sive ex fiscali fuerit aliquid alienatum? eodemque modo et si a serenissima augusta aliquid alienetur, quare non eadem utatur praerogativa?
Which is quite irrational. For what difference is introduced, since all things are understood to belong to the emperor, whether something has been alienated from his own substance or from the fiscal? And in the same way, if something is alienated by the Most Serene Augusta, why should she not employ the same prerogative?
but let our curators, through whom we are accustomed to govern our substance, be required in sales of things to add both the warranty of eviction and other pacts which are of private utility to the purchase instruments, or to acknowledge certain such obligations in the instruments of alienations or in exchanges or in settlements, if this too shall have been concluded? <a 531 on the 5th day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, after the consulate of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men>
Hoc enim est eorum, qui nec maiestatem imperialem agnoscunt et quantum inter privatam fortunam et regale culmen medium est, et nostros curatores, per quos res divinarum domuum aguntur, aliquibus iniuriis vel damnis adficere conantur. <a 531 d. v k. dec. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
For this is the way of those who neither acknowledge imperial majesty nor how great an interval lies between private fortune and the royal summit, and who try to afflict our curators—through whom the affairs of the divine houses are conducted—with certain injuries or damages. <a 531 d. v k. dec. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Quae omnia resecantes per hanc generalem et in perpetuum valituram legem sancimus omnes alienationes de aula procedentes, sive a nostra clementia sive a serenissima augusta coniuge nostra sive ab his, qui postea digni fuerint nomine imperiali, sive iam alienatum quid est sive postea fuerit, sine omni inquietudine permanere, sive res eis per nosmet ipsos sive procuratores, ex epistalmate tamen nostro, fuerint adsignatae. <a 531 d. v k. dec. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Cutting off all these things, by this general law to be valid in perpetuity we sanction that all alienations proceeding from the court—whether from our clemency or from our most serene Augusta, our spouse, or from those who shall afterward be worthy of the imperial name—whether something has already been alienated or shall be hereafter, shall remain without any disturbance, whether the things have been assigned to them by ourselves or by procurators, provided, however, that it be on the strength of our epistle. <a 531 on the 5th day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most illustrious men.>
Et nemo audeat eos, qui res accipiunt per quemcumque titulum alienationis sive mobiles sive immobiles seu se moventes vel iura incorporalia vel panes civiles, iudiciis adficere vel sperare aliquam contra eos esse sibi viam apertam sed omnis aditus excludatur, omnis motus et spes huiusmodi petulantiae. <a 531 d. v k. dec. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
And let no one dare to afflict with lawsuits those who receive things under whatever title of alienation—whether movables or immovables, or self‑moving things, or incorporeal rights, or civil loaves—nor hope that any way is open to him against them; but let every access be shut out, every movement and hope of petulance of this kind. <a 531 d. v k. dec. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Sed adversus domos nostras habeant, intra quadriennium tamen, secundum imitationem fisci, quas existimant posse sibi competere actiones in rem vel hypothecariam, ut ex nostra iussione causa moveatur et competentem mereatur effectum. quod si quadriennium fuerit emensum, nec adversus nostram domum habeat quis quamcumque actionem. <a 531 d. v k. dec.
But let them have, against our houses, within a four-year period, however, in imitation of the fisc, whatever actions in rem or hypothecary they think can be competent to them, so that by our command the cause may be set in motion and may merit the competent effect. But if the four-year period has elapsed, let no one have any action whatsoever against our house. <a 531 d. v k. dec.
Quia igitur multa scimus tam nosmet ipsos quam serenissimam augustam coniugem nostram variis personis iam donasse et vendidisse et per alios titulos adsignasse , et maxime sacrosanctis ecclesiis et xenonibus et ptochotrophiis et episcopis et monachis et aliis innumerabilibus personis, et eandem liberalitatem ex nostra substantia sive serenissimae coniugis nostrae esse confectam, sancimus etiam eos firmo iure habere quod consecuti sunt, ita ut contra illos quidem nulla moveatur actio, intra quadriennium autem ex praesenti die numerandum pateat omnibus aditus contra nostras divinas domos suas actiones super isdem rebus movere, scituris, quod praefato quadriennio finito neque adversus nostras domos aliquis eis reservetur regressus. <a 531 d. v k. dec. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Since therefore we know that both we ourselves and our most serene Augusta consort have already donated and sold and assigned under other titles to various persons—and especially to the sacrosanct churches and xenones (hospices) and ptochotrophia (poorhouses) and bishops and monks and other innumerable persons—and that the same liberality has been effected from our substance or from that of our most serene consort, we also sanction that they hold with firm right what they have obtained, such that indeed no action be moved against those persons; but within a four-year period, to be counted from the present day, a way shall lie open to all to bring their actions against our divine houses concerning the same things, with the understanding that, when the aforesaid four-year period is finished, no return shall be reserved to them even against our houses. <a 531 on the 5th day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Cum enim multa privilegia augusta fortuna meruit et in donationibus sine insinuatione gestorum omnem firmitatem habentibus et super rebus, quas pro tempore serenissimus princeps divinae augustae constante matrimonio donaverit vel ipse a serenissima augusta per donationis titulum consequatur, ut maneat ilico donatio plena, nullo alio adfirmationis tempore expectando, ita et hoc videatur imperiale esse privilegium. qui enim suis consiliis suisque laboribus pro toto orbe terrarum die noctuque laborant, quare non habeant dignam sua praerogativam fortuna ? <a 531 d. v k. dec. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Since indeed august fortune has merited many privileges, and donations have every firmness without insinuation in the public records, and with respect to the things which, for the time, the most serene Prince shall have donated to the divine Augusta, the marriage subsisting, or which he himself shall obtain from the most serene Augusta by the title of donation, so that the donation remains immediately full, no other time of affirmation being awaited—thus let this also be seen to be an imperial privilege. For they who by their counsels and their labors labor for the whole orb of lands day and night—why should they not have a prerogative worthy of their fortune ? <a 531 d. v k. dec. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Quae igitur pro augusto honore et cautela res accipientium nostra statuit aeternitas, haec tam sublimitas tua quam ceteri omnes iudices nostri observare festinent, ex eo tempore valitura, ex quo nutu divino imperiales suscepimus infulas. <a 531 d. v k. dec. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
Therefore, the things which our eternity has established for august honor and for the safeguard of the recipients’ property, let both Your Sublimity and all our other judges hasten to observe, to be in force from that time from which, by the divine nod, we have assumed the imperial fillets. <a in 531, on the 5th day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Saepenumero praeceptum est, ut servi atque liberti, colonique praeterea rei nostrae nec non etiam eorum suboles ac nepotes, quicumque de nostris possessionibus recessissent ac se ad diversa militiae genera contulissent, cingulo, in quo obrepserant fraudulenter, exuti, si ad aliquas fortasse transcenderint dignitates, omni temporis definitione submota nostro patrimonio redderentur. * valentin. et valens aa. ad probum pp. galliarum.
It has been prescribed very often that the slaves and freedmen, and moreover the coloni of our estate, and likewise their offspring and grandsons—whoever have withdrawn from our possessions and have betaken themselves to diverse kinds of military service—shall, stripped of the belt into which they had fraudulently crept, if perchance they have ascended to any dignities, be returned to our patrimony, with every limitation of time set aside. * valentinian and valens, augusti, to probus, praetorian prefect of the gauls.
Universas terras, quae a colonis dominicis iuris rei publicae vel iuris templorum in qualibet provincia venditae vel ullo alio pacto alienatae sunt, ab his qui perperam atque contra leges eas detinent, nulla longi temporis praescriptione officiente iubemus restitui, ita ut nec pretium quidem iniquis comparatoribus reposcere liceat. * valentin. theodos.
We order that all lands which, by imperial coloni, of the right of the commonwealth or of the right of temples, in whatever province have been sold or alienated by any other pact, be restored from those who wrongly and against the laws detain them, with no prescription of long time hindering; such that it is not permitted even to demand back the price for the unjust purchasers. * valentin. theodos.
Rescripta igitur obreptionibus impetrata cum praescriptione longi temporis et novi census praeiudicio submovebit auctoritas tua, atque ita omnia suo corpori quae sunt avulsa restituet. neque enim incubatio diuturna aut novella professio proprietatis nostrae privilegium abolere poterit. <a 396 d. v k. april.
Therefore, by your authority you will remove rescripts obtained by obreption, together with the prescription of long time and the prejudice of the new census, and thus he will restore to its own body all things that have been avulsed. For neither protracted occupation nor a new profession will be able to abolish the privilege of our proprietorship. <a 396 on the 5th day before the Kalends of april.
Cum adseveras te absente eos, qui oculos praediis tuis imposuerant, operam dedisse, ut annonariae collationis praetextu vili pretio ab officio praesidali praedia tua distraherentur, si legitimi temporis spatium ex venditionis die fluxit, qui provinciam regit inter vos cognoscet et, quod publico iure praescriptum est, statuet. * diocl. et maxim.
Since you aver that, while you were absent, those who had set their eyes on your estates took pains that, under the pretext of an annona contribution, your estates be sold off by the provincial governor’s office at a cheap price, if the span of the lawful time has elapsed from the day of the sale, he who governs the province will take cognizance between you and will determine what has been prescribed by public law. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Si autem nondum ex die publicae venditionis legitimum tempus transmissum sit, iudex examinatis adlegationibus tuis quod rei qualitas dictaverit sequetur, non ignarus, si iniustam esse emptionem perspexerit, pretium, quod pro vitioso contractu datum est, secundum principalium statutorum tenorem mala fide emptoribus restitui non oportere. <>
If, however, the lawful time has not yet elapsed from the day of the public vendition, the judge, after your allegations have been examined, will follow what the quality of the matter shall have dictated, not unaware that, if he has perceived the purchase to be unjust, the price which was given for the defective contract ought not, according to the tenor of the principal statutes, to be restored to purchasers in bad faith. <>
Male agitur cum dominis praediorum, si tanta precario possidentibus praerogativa defertur, ut eos post quadraginta annorum spatia qualibet ratione decursa inquietare non liceat, cum lex constantiniana iubeat ab his possessionis initium non requiri, qui sibi potius quam alteri possederunt, eos autem possessores non convenit appellari, qui ita tenent, ut ob hoc ipsum solitam debeant praestare mercedem. * valentin. et valens aa. ad volusianum pu. * <a 365 d. viiii k. aug.
It goes ill with the owners of estates, if so great a prerogative is conferred upon those possessing by precarium that it is not permitted to disturb them after the lapse of 40 years by any manner of reckoning, since the Constantinian law orders that the beginning of possession is not to be required from those who have possessed for themselves rather than for another; whereas it is not fitting to call them possessors who hold in such a way that for that very reason they ought to render the customary rent. * Valentinian and Valens, the Augusti, to Volusianus, Prefect of the City. *
Nemo igitur, qui ad possessionem conductor accedit, diu alienas res tenendo ius sibi proprietatis usurpet, ne cogantur domini aut amittere quod locaverunt aut conductores utiles sibi fortassis excludere aut annis omnibus super dominio suo publice protestari. <a 365 d. viiii k. aug. valentiniano et valente aa. conss.>
Therefore, let no one who enters into possession as a lessee, by holding another’s property for a long time, usurp for himself the right of ownership, lest the owners be compelled either to lose what they have leased out, or to exclude tenants perhaps useful to them, or to make public protest every year about their dominion. <a A.D. 365, on the 9th day before the Kalends of August, the Augusti Valentinian and Valens, consuls.>
Sicut in rem speciales, ita de universitate ac personales actiones ultra triginta annorum spatium minime protendantur. sed si qua res vel ius aliquod postuletur vel persona qualicumque actione vel persecutione pulsetur, nihilo minus erit agenti triginta annorum praescriptio metuenda: eodem etiam in eius valente persona, qui pignus vel vel hypothecam non a suo debitore, sed ab alio per longum tempus possidente nititur vindicare. * honor.
Just as special actions in rem, so actions concerning a universality and personal actions shall by no means be extended beyond a space of thirty years. But if some thing or some right is demanded, or a person is pressed by whatever action or persecution, nonetheless the thirty‑year prescription is to be feared by the party suing; the same likewise being effective against the person of him who strives to vindicate a pledge or hypothec, not from his own debtor, but from another who has possessed it for a long time. * Honorius.
Quae ergo ante non motae sunt actiones, triginta annorum iugi silentio, ex quo competere iure coeperunt, vivendi ulterius non habeant facultatem. nec sufficiat precibus oblatis speciale quoddam, licet per adnotationem, promeruisse responsum, vel etiam iudiciis adlegasse, nisi adlegato sacro rescripto aut in iudicio postulatione deposita fuerit subsecuta per exsecutorem conventio. <a 424 d. xviii k. dec.
Therefore actions which have not previously been set in motion shall, by the uninterrupted silence of 30 years from the time when they began to be competent in law, no longer have the faculty of subsisting further. Nor shall it suffice, upon petitions having been presented, to have earned some special response, even by adnotation, or even to have alleged them in the courts, unless, the sacred rescript having been adduced or a petition having been lodged in court, there has followed a summons by the executor. <a 424 d. 18 k. dec.
Non sexus fragilitate, non absentia, non militia contra hanc legem defendenda, sed pupillari aetate dumtaxat, quamvis sub tutoris defensione consistit, huic eximenda sanctioni nam cum ad eos annos pervenerit, qui ad sollicitudinem pertinent curatoris, necessario eis similiter ut aliis annorum triginta intervalla servanda sunt. <a 424 d. xviii k. dec. constantinopoli victore cons.>
Neither frailty of sex, nor absence, nor military service is to be defended against this law, but only pupillary age—although it stands under a tutor’s protection—is to be exempted from this sanction; for when they shall have arrived at those years which pertain to a curator’s solicitude, the intervals of thirty years must necessarily be observed for them, similarly as for others. <a 424 on the 18th day before the Kalends of December, at constantinople, with Victor as consul.>
Omnes nocendi quibuslibet modis artes omnibus amputantes cunctas quidem temporales exceptiones, quae ex vetere iure vel principalibus decretis descendunt, tamquam si per hanc legem specialiter ac nominatim fuissent enumeratae, cum suo robore durare et suum cunctis, quibus competunt vel in posterum competere valuerint, pro suo videlicet tenore praesidium in perpetuum deferre decernimus. * anastas. a. matroniano pp. * <a 491 d. iiii k. aug.
Cutting off for all all arts of harming by whatever methods, we decree that all temporary exceptions which descend from the ancient law or from imperial decrees—as though they had been specifically and by name enumerated by this law—are to endure with their own force and, in accordance with their proper tenor, to confer their protection in perpetuity upon all to whom they pertain or shall be able to pertain in the future. * anastasius augustus to matronianus, praetorian prefect. * <a 491 d. 4 k. aug.
Quidquid autem praeteritarum praescriptionum vel verbis vel sensibus minus continetur, implentes per hanc in perpetuum valituram legem sancimus, ut, si quis contractus, si qua actio, quae, cum non esset expressim saepe dictis temporalibus praescriptionibus concepta, quorundam tamen vel fortuita vel excogitata interpretatione saepe dictarum exceptionum laqueos evadere posse videatur, huic saluberrimae nostrae sanctioni succumbat et quadraginta curriculis annorum procul dubio sopiatur, nullumque ius privatum vel publicum in quacumque causa in quacumque persona, quod praedictorum quadraginta annorum extinctum est iugi silentio, moveatur. <a 491 d. iiii k. aug. constantinopoli olybrio cons.>
Whatever moreover of prior prescriptions is less contained either in words or in senses, fulfilling it through this law that is to be valid in perpetuity we enact, that, if any contract, if any action, which, although it was not expressly conceived under the oft-said temporal prescriptions, yet by some fortuitous or contrived interpretation might seem able to evade the snares of the oft-said exceptions, let it succumb to this our most healthful sanction and without doubt be lulled to sleep by the courses of 40 years, and let no private or public right in whatever cause against whatever person, which has been extinguished by the continual silence of the aforesaid 40 years, be moved. <a 491 on the 4th day before the Kalends of August, at Constantinople, Olybrius being consul.>
Sed quicumque super quolibet iure, quod per memoratum tempus inconcussum et sine ulla re ipsa illata iudiciaria conventione possedit, superque sua condicione, qua per idem tempus absque ulla iudiciali sententia simili munitione potitus est , sit liber et praesentis saluberrimae legis plenissima munitione securus. <a 491 d. iiii k. aug. constantinopoli olybrio cons.>
But whoever, concerning any right which during the aforementioned time he possessed unshaken and without any judicial convening actually brought, and concerning his own condition, which during the same time, without any judicial sentence, he has enjoyed by a similar fortification, let him be free and secure by the fullest fortification of this most salutary law. <in the year 491, on the 4th day before the Kalends of August, at Constantinople, with Olybrius as consul.>
Praescriptionem quadraginta annorum ab his, qui ad curialem condicionem vocantur , opponi non patimur, sed genitalem statum semper eos agnoscere compelli sancimus. sacra etenim nostrae pietatis lex de aliis loquitur condicionibus nec anterioribus constitutionibus per eandem novellam legem derogatur, quae manifestissime curiales et liberos eorum explosis temporalibus praescriptionibus patriis suis reddi praecipiunt. * anastas.
We do not allow the prescription of forty years to be opposed by those who are called to the curial condition, but we decree that they be compelled always to acknowledge their natal status. for the sacred law of our piety speaks about other conditions, nor are earlier constitutions derogated by that same novel law, which most plainly command that curials and their children, the temporal prescriptions exploded, be returned to their own fatherlands. * anastas.
Comperit nostra serenitas quosdam sacratissimam nostrae pietatis constitutionem, quae de annorum quadraginta loquitur praescriptione, ad praeiudicium etiam publicarum functionum solutionis trahere conari et, si quid per tanti vel amplioris temporis lapsum minime vel minus quam oportuerat tributorum nomine solutum est, non posse requiri seu profligari contendere, cum huiusmodo conamen manifestissime sensui propositoque nostrae legis obviare noscatur. * anastas. a. leontio pp. * <>
Our Serenity has learned that certain persons are trying to draw the most sacred constitution of Our Piety, which speaks about a forty-year prescription, to the prejudice even of the payment of public functions, and to contend that, if anything during the lapse of so great or even greater a time has not at all, or less than was proper, been paid under the name of tributes, it cannot be demanded or recovered; whereas an attempt of this sort is known most manifestly to run counter to the sense and purpose of our law. * anastasius augustus to leontius, praetorian prefect. * <>
Ideoque iubemus eos, qui rem aliquam per continuum annorum quadraginta curriculum sine quadam legitima interpellatione possederunt, de possessione quidem rei seu dominio nequaquam removeri, functiones autem seu civilem canonem vel aliam quandam publicam collationem impositam ei dependere compelli nec huic parti cuiuscumque temporis praescriptionem oppositam admitti. <>
Therefore we order that those who have possessed some thing for a continuous course of 40 years without any lawful interpellation are by no means to be removed from the possession of the thing or from dominion; but as for the functiones or the civil canon or some other public contribution imposed upon it, they are to be compelled to pay it, nor shall a prescription of whatever time, set up in opposition to this part, be admitted. <>
Cum notissimi iuris sit actionem hypothecariam in extraneos quidem suppositae rei detentores annorum triginta finiri spatiis, si non interruptum erit silentium , ut lege cautum est, id est etiam per solam conventionem, aut si aetas impubes excipienda monstretur, in ipsos vero debitores aut heredes eorum primos vel ulteriores nullis expirare lustrorum cursibus: nostrae provisionis esse perspeximus hoc quoque emendare, ne possessores eiusmodi prope immortali timore teneantur. * iustinus a. archelao pp. * <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
Since it is of most well-known law that the hypothecary action, as to outsiders who detain the hypothecated thing, is limited to spans of thirty years, if the silence will not have been interrupted, as it is provided by law, that is even by mere convention, or if an underage (infant) age is shown to be excepted, but as to the debtors themselves or their heirs, the first or more remote, it expires in no courses of lustrums: we have perceived it to belong to our provision to emend this also, lest possessors of this sort be held by a nearly deathless fear. * Justin Augustus to Archelaus, Praetorian Prefect. * <a in the year 525, on the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, Philoxenus and Probus, consuls.>
Quamobrem iubemus hypothecarum persecutionem, quae rerum movetur gratia vel apud debitores consistentium vel apud debitorum heredes, non ultra quadraginta annos , ex quo competere coepit, prorogari, nisi conventio aut aetas, sicut dictum est , intercesserit, ut diversitas utriusque rerum persecutionis, quae in debitorem aut heredes eius quaeque movetur in extraneos, in solo sit annorum numero, verum in aliis omnibus ambo similes sint: in actione scilicet personali his custodiendis, quae prisca constitutionum sanxit iustitia. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
Wherefore we order that the pursuit of hypothecs (mortgages), which is set in motion for the sake of things either with debtors with whom they are in possession or with the heirs of debtors, not be prolonged beyond forty years , from the time when it began to be competent, unless agreement or age, as has been said , has intervened, so that the diversity of each kind of pursuit concerning things, the one which is moved against the debtor or his heirs and the one which is moved against outsiders, be only in the number of years, but in all other respects both be similar: namely, that in the personal action those safeguards be kept which the ancient justice of the constitutions sanctioned. <a 525 on the Kalends of December at Constantinople, with Philoxenus and Probus as consuls.>
Sed cum illud etiam in forensibus controversiis ventilabatur, an creditor anteriora iura praetendens potest posteriorem creditorem hypothecam tenentem et ultra triginta annos inquietare utpote imaginem debitoris obtinentem eique possidentem, necessarium duximus et hoc dirimere. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
But since even in forensic controversies it was being ventilated whether a creditor asserting anterior rights can disturb a posterior creditor holding a hypothec even beyond thirty years, as one who, so to speak, holds the image of the debtor and possesses for him, we have deemed it necessary to resolve this as well. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
Et sancimus, donec communis debitor vivit, non posse creditori anteriori triginta annorum exceptionem opponi, sed locum esse quadraginta annorum praescriptioni , quia, dum ille vivit, merito anterior creditor confidit, utpote apud debitorem eius possessione per posteriorem creditorem constituta. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
And we sanction that, so long as the common debtor lives, the thirty-year exception cannot be opposed to the anterior creditor, but that the forty-year prescription has place; because, while he lives, the anterior creditor rightly confides, inasmuch as, with respect to his debtor, possession is constituted through the posterior creditor’s possession. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
Ex quo autem in fata sua debitor decesserit, ex eo quasi suo nomine possidentem posteriorem creditorem merito posse triginta annorum opponere praescriptionem. et secundum hanc distinctionem computationem temporum adhibendam, ut ex persona quidem sua posterior creditor triginta annos, quos ipse post mortem debitoris possedit, opponat: sin autem coniungere voluerit suae possessioni quam post mortem debitoris habuit, etiam tempus, quo vivente debitore vel ipse creditor vel communis debitor detinuit, tunc quadraginta annorum exceptionis iura tractari et, quantum deest ad quadraginta annorum possessionem, per quam et ipse debitor creditorem repellere potuerat hoc se possedisse ostendat. <a 525 d. k. dec.
But from the time the debtor has departed to his own fates (died), from that point the later creditor, as possessing as it were in his own name, can deservedly oppose the thirty-year prescription. And according to this distinction the computation of times must be applied, so that, from his own persona, the later creditor may oppose the thirty years which he himself possessed after the debtor’s death. But if he should wish to conjoin to his possession—which he had after the debtor’s death—also the time during which, while the debtor was living, either he the creditor himself or the common debtor held, then the rights of the forty-year exception are to be treated; and let him show that he has himself possessed so much as is lacking to make up forty years’ possession (by which even the debtor himself could have repelled the creditor). <a 525 d. k. dec.
Eodem iure pro temporum computatione observando et si posterior creditor anteriori creditori offere debitum paratus est et is creditor longaevam possessionis praescriptionem ei opponere conatur. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
By the same law, to be observed for the computation of times, and likewise if a later creditor is ready to tender the debt to the earlier creditor, and that creditor tries to oppose to him the long prescription of possession. <a year 525, on the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, in the consulship of Philoxenus and Probus.>
Illud autem plus quam manifestum est, quod in omnibus contractibus, in quibus sub aliqua condicione vel sub die certa vel incerta stipulationes et promissiones vel pacta ponuntur, post condicionis exitum vel post institutae diei certae vel incertae lapsum praescriptiones triginta aut quadraginta annorum, quae personalibus vel hypothecariis actionibus opponuntur, initium accipiunt. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
But this is more than manifest: that in all contracts, in which stipulations and promises or pacts are set under some condition or under a day certain or uncertain, after the fulfillment of the condition, or after the lapse of the appointed day, whether certain or uncertain, the prescriptions of 30 or 40 years, which are opposed to personal or hypothecary actions, take their inception. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
Unde evenit, ut in matrimoniis, in quibus redhibitio dotis vel ante nuptias donationis in diem incertam mortis vel repudii differri adsolet, post coniugii dissolutionem earundem curricula praescriptionum personalibus itidem actionibus vel hypothecariis opponendarum incipiant. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
Whence it comes about that, in matrimonies in which the restitution of the dowry or the donation before the nuptials is accustomed to be deferred to an uncertain day of death or of repudiation, after the dissolution of the union the periods of those same prescriptions, to be opposed to personal actions or likewise to hypothecary actions, begin. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>>
Immo et illud procul dubio est, quod si quis eorum, quibus aliquid debetur, res sibi suppositas sine violentia tenuerit, per hanc detentionem interruptio fit praeteriti temporis, si minus effluxit triginta vel quadraginta annis, et multo magis, quam si esset interruptio per conventionem introducta, cum litis contestationem imitatur ea detentio. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
Indeed, this too is beyond doubt: that if any of those to whom something is owed has held, without violence, the things placed under him (as security), by this detention an interruption of the elapsed time is effected, if less than thirty or forty years has flowed by; and much more so than if an interruption had been introduced by agreement, since that detention imitates the contestation of the suit. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
Sed et si quis debitorum ad agnoscendum suum debitum secundam cautionem in creditorem exposuerit, tempora memoratarum praescriptionum interrupta esse videbuntur, quantum ad priorem cautionem pertinet, quae scilicet innovata permansit, tam in personalibus quam in hypothecariis actionibus. namque improbum est debitorem contradicere, qui, ne sub accusatione creditoris fiat, secundam in eum super eo debito cautionem exposuit. <a 525 d. k. dec.
But also, if any of the debtors, for acknowledging his debt, has exhibited to the creditor a second bond, the times of the aforesaid prescriptions will be seen to have been interrupted, insofar as pertains to the prior bond, which, namely, remained renewed, both in personal and in hypothecary actions. For it is improper for the debtor to contradict, who, lest he come under the creditor’s accusation, has exhibited a second bond to him concerning that debt. <a 525 d. k. dec.
In his etiam promissionibus vel legatis vel aliis obligationibus, quae dationem per singulos annos vel menses aut aliquod singulare tempus continent, tempora memoratarum praescriptionum non ab exordio talis obligationis, sed ab initio cuiusque anni vel mensis vel alterius singularis temporis computari manifestum est. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
In these promises or legacies or other obligations which include a payment for each year or month or some particular period, it is manifest that the periods of the aforesaid prescriptions are to be computed not from the beginning of such an obligation, but from the beginning of each year or month or other particular period. <in the year 525, on the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, Philoxenus and Probus, consuls.>
Nulla scilicet danda licentia vel ei, qui iure emphyteutico rem aliquam per quadraginta vel quoscumque alios annos detinuerit, dicendi ex transacto tempore dominium sibi in isdem rebus quaesitum esse, cum in eodem statu semper manere datas iure emphyteutico res oporteat, vel conductori seu procuratori rerum alienarum dicendi ex quocumque temporum curriculo non debere se domino volenti post completa conductionis tempora possessionem recipere eam reddere. <a 525 d. k. dec. constantinopoli philoxeno et probo conss.>
No license is to be given, namely, either to him who, under emphyteutic right, has detained some thing for forty years or for whatever other number of years, to say that from elapsed time ownership has been acquired by him in the same things—since things granted by emphyteutic right ought always to remain in the same status—or to a lessee or procurator of another’s property to say, from whatever course of time, that he ought not to return possession to the owner who is willing, after the terms of the lease have been completed, to receive it back. <a 525 on the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, Philoxenus and Probus consuls.>
Si quis emptionis vel donationis vel alterius cuiuscumque contractus titulo rem aliquam bona fide per decem vel viginti annos possederit et longi temporis exceptionem contra dominos eius vel creditores hypothecam eius praetendentes sibi adquisierit posteaque fortuito casu possessionem eius rei perdiderit, posse eum etiam actionem ad vindicandam eandem rem habere sancimus. hoc enim et veteres leges, si quis eas recte inspexerit, sanciebant. * iust.
If anyone, under the title of purchase or donation or of any other contract whatsoever, has possessed some thing in good faith for 10 or 20 years and has thereby acquired for himself the exception of long time against its owners or against creditors alleging its hypothec, and afterwards by a fortuitous accident has lost possession of that thing, we ordain that he can also have an action to vindicate the same thing. For this too the ancient laws, if anyone should inspect them correctly, enacted. * Justin.
Quod si quis eam rem desierit possidere, cuius dominus vel is qui suppositam eam habebat exceptione triginta vel quadraginta annorum expulsus est, praedictum auxilium non indiscrete, sed cum moderata divisione ei praestare censemus, ut, si quidem bona fide ab initio eam rem tenuit, simili possit uti praesidio, sin vero mala fide eam adeptus est, indignus eo videatur, ita tamen, ut novus possessor, si quidem ipse rei dominus ab initio fuit vel suppositam eam habebat et memoratae exceptionis necessitate expulsus est, commodum detentionis sibi adquirat. <a 528 d. iii id. dec. constantinopoli dn. iustiniano a. ii cons.>
But if anyone has ceased to possess that thing, whose owner, or he who had it as sub-placed under him, was expelled by the exception of 30 or 40 years, we judge that the aforesaid aid is to be afforded to him not indiscriminately but with moderate division, so that, if indeed from the beginning he held that thing in good faith, he may be able to use a similar safeguard; but if he obtained it in bad faith, he appear unworthy of it; yet in such a way that the new possessor, if indeed he himself was the owner of the thing from the beginning or had it as sub-placed and was expelled by the necessity of the aforesaid exception, may acquire for himself the advantage of detention. <in the year 528, on the 3rd day before the ides of december, at constantinople, our lord justinian, consul for the 2nd time.>
Sin vero nullum ius in eadem re quocumque tempore habuit, tunc licentia sit priori domino vel creditori, qui nomine hypothecae rem obligatam habuit, et heredibus eorum ab iniusto detentore eam vindicare, non obsistente ei, quod prior possessor triginta vel quadraginta annorum exceptione eum removerat, nisi ipse iniustus possessor triginta vel quadraginta annorum ex eo tempore computandorum, ex quo prior possessor, qui et vicit, ea possessione cecidit, exceptione munitus sit. <a 528 d. iii id. dec. constantinopoli dn. iustiniano a. ii cons.>
But if in truth he had no right at any time in the same thing, then let there be license for the prior owner or the creditor, who had the thing obligated under the name of hypothec, and for their heirs, to vindicate it from the unjust detainer, not being hindered by the fact that the prior possessor had removed him by the 30- or 40-year exception, unless the unjust possessor himself is fortified by the 30- or 40-year exception, to be computed from the time from which the prior possessor, who also prevailed, fell from that possession. <a 528, on the 3rd day before the Ides of December, at Constantinople, under our lord Justinian Augustus, in his 2nd consulship.>
Sed et si quis non per vim, sed sententia iudicis eam detinuit, ea tamen occasione, quod absens prior possessor et ad litem vocatus minime respondit, licebit ei ad similitudinem ceterorum, qui rei dominium habent, intra annum se offerenti cautionemque suscipiendae litis danti eandem rem recipere superque ea cognitionalia subire certamina. <a 528 d. iii id. dec. constantinopoli dn. iustiniano a. ii cons.>
But also if someone has detained it not by force, but by the sentence of a judge, yet on the occasion that the prior possessor was absent and, though called to the suit, did not at all respond, it shall be permitted to him, in similitude to the others who have dominion of the thing, if within a year he presents himself and gives a surety for undertaking the litigation, to receive back the same thing and to undergo cognitional contests concerning it. <a 528, on 11 December, at Constantinople, our lord Justinian Augustus, consul for the 2nd time.>
Exceptionem etiam triginta vel quadraginta annorum in illis contractibus, in quibus usurae promissae sunt, ex illo tempore initium capere sancimus, ex quo debitor usuras minime persolvit. <a 528 d. iii id. dec. constantinopoli dn. iustiniano a. ii cons.>
We also decree that the exception of thirty or forty years, in those contracts in which interests have been promised, shall take its beginning from that time from which the debtor has not at all paid the interests. <a 528, on the 3rd day before the Ides of December, at Constantinople, our lord Justinian, in his 2nd consulship.>
Saepe quidam suos obnoxios in iudicium vocantes et iudiciariis certaminibus ventilatis non ad certum finem lites producebant, sed taciturnitate in medio tempore adhibita, propter potentiam forte fugientium vel suam imbecillitatem vel alios quoscumque casus ( cum sortis humanae multa sunt, quae nec dici nec enumerari possint), deinde iure suo lapsi esse videbantur eo, quod post cognitionem novissimam triginta annorum spatium effluxerit, et huiusmodi exceptione opposita suas fortunas ad alios translatas videntes merito quidem, sine remedio autem lugebant. * iust. a. demostheni pp. * <a 529 >
Often certain persons, calling into court those liable to them, and the judicial contests having been aired, did not bring the suits to a definite end, but, silence being employed in the meantime, on account of the power of those perhaps fleeing, or their own imbecility, or any other contingencies whatsoever (since in the lot of humankind there are many things which can neither be said nor enumerated), then they seemed to have lapsed from their right for the reason that, after the most recent hearing, a space of 30 years had elapsed; and, with an exception of this kind interposed, seeing their fortunes transferred to others, they lamented with good reason indeed, but without remedy. * iust. a. demostheni pp. * <a 529 >
Quod nos corrigentes eandem exceptionem, quae ex triginta annis oritur, in huiusmodi casu opponi minime patimur, sed licet personalis actio ab initio fuerit instituta, tamen eam in quadragesimum annum extendimus, cum non sit similis, qui penitus ab initio tacuit, ei, qui et postulationem deposuit et in iudicium venit et subiit certamina, litem autem implere per quosdam casus praepeditus est. <a 529 >
Which, correcting this, we by no means allow that same exception, which arises from thirty years, to be opposed in a case of this sort; but although a personal action was instituted from the beginning, nevertheless we extend it to the fortieth year, since he who was wholly silent from the beginning is not similar to him who both lodged the petition and came into court and underwent the contests, but was hindered by certain contingencies from completing the lawsuit. <a 529 >
Deinde illud spatium annale alii quidem ita effuse interpretabantur, ut possit usque ad decennium extendi, alii iudicantes usque ad quinquennium standum esse putaverunt. et in nostris temporibus saepius super huiusmodi calculo a iudicibus variatum est, unde nec facile suum effectum in litigiis ostendere huiusmodi exceptio valuit. <a 530 d. xv k. april.
Then that annual span some indeed interpreted so profusely that it could be extended up to a decennium, others, judging, thought it ought to stand only up to a quinquennium. And in our times judges have more than once varied on such a calculation, whence such an exception has not been able easily to show its own effect in litigations. <a 530 on the 15th day before the Kalends of April.
Cum itaque nobis aliae temporales exceptiones vel praescriptiones sufficiant, huiusmodi difficultatibus illigari nostro subiectos imperio minime patimur. ideoque memorata annali exceptione penitus quiescente aliae omnes legitimae exceptiones vel praescriptiones in iudiciis suum vigorem ostendant, sive quae super decennio vel viginti vel triginta vel quadraginta annis introductae sunt, sive quae minoribus spatiis concluduntur. <a 530 d. xv k. april.
Since therefore other temporal exceptions or prescriptions suffice for us, we by no means allow those subject to our empire to be entangled by difficulties of this kind. And therefore, with the aforesaid annual exception entirely at rest, let all other legitimate exceptions or prescriptions in the courts show their own vigor, whether those introduced over 10 or 20 or 30 or 40 years, or those concluded within shorter spans. <a 530 d. 15 k. april.
Ad haec cum nihil prohibet etiam ea, quae aliquam dubitationem acceperunt, clarioribus et compendiosis sanctionibus renovare, iubemus omnes personales actiones , quas verbosa quorundam interpretatio iactare extra metas triginta annorum conabatur, triginta annorum spatiis concludi, nisi legitimus modus, qui et veteribus et nostris legibus enumeratus est, interruptionem temporis introduxerit: sola hypothecaria actione quadraginta annorum utente curriculis. <a 530 d. xv k. april. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
To these matters, since nothing forbids us also to renew those things which have received some doubt by clearer and more compendious sanctions, we order all personal actions, which the verbose interpretation of certain persons was attempting to cast beyond the bounds of 30 years, to be concluded within spans of 30 years, unless a legitimate mode, which has been enumerated by both the ancient and our laws, has introduced an interruption of time: the hypothecary action alone employing courses of 40 years. <a 530 on the 15th day before the Kalends of April, at Constantinople, Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
Nemo itaque audeat neque actionis familiae erciscundae neque communi dividundo neque finium regundorum neque pro socio neque furti neque vi bonorum raptorum neque alterius cuiuscumque personalis actionis vitam longiorem esse triginta annis interpretari: sed ex quo ab initio competit et semel nata est, et non iteratis fabulis saepe recreata, quemadmodum in furti dicebatur, post memoratum tempus finiri. <a 530 d. xv k. april. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
Let no one, therefore, dare to interpret the life of the action for dividing an inheritance (familiae erciscundae), nor of dividing common property (communis dividundo), nor of regulating boundaries (finium regundorum), nor pro socio, nor for theft (furti), nor for rapine by force (vi bonorum raptorum), nor of any other personal action whatsoever, as being longer than thirty years: but from the moment when at the beginning it accrues and is once born, and not often revived by repeated tales, as was said in the case of theft, it is ended after the aforementioned time. <a 530 d. xv k. april. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
Exceptis omnibus actionibus, licet personales sint, quae in iudicium deductae sunt et cognitionalia acceperunt certamina et postea silentio traditae sunt, in quibus non triginta, sed quadraginta annos esse expectandos, ex quo novissimum litigatores tacuerunt, nostra lex antea promulgavit. <a 530 d. xv k. april. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
Excepting all actions, even though they are personal, which have been brought into judgment and have undergone cognitional trials and were afterward consigned to silence—in which not 30, but 40 years are to be awaited from the time when the litigants most recently fell silent—our law previously promulgated. <a 530 d. 15 k. April. Constantinople, Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
Ne autem imperfecta sanctio videatur, cum in maternis quidem rebus filiis familias tempore exceptionum currere dispositum erat, ex quo sacris paternis absoluti sunt, in aliis autem, quae minime adquiri possunt, hoc non fuerat specialiter constitutum, apertissima definitione sancimus filiis familias omnibus in his casibus, in quibus habent res minime patribus suis adquisitas, nullam temporalem exceptionem opponi, nisi ex quo actionem movere potuerint, id est postquam manu paterna vel eius in cuius potestate erant constituti fuerint liberati. quis enim incusare eos poterit, si hoc non fecerint, quod et si maluerint, minime adimplere lege obviante valebant? <a 530 d. xv k. april.
Lest, however, the sanction seem imperfect, since in maternal matters indeed it had been arranged that for sons in the household the time of exceptions runs from the point at which they have been absolved from the paternal sacra, but in other matters, which can in no way be acquired, this had not been specially established, by a most explicit definition we sanction for all sons in the household that, in those cases in which they have property in no way acquired to their fathers, no temporal exception shall be opposed, except from the time when they were able to bring an action—that is, after they have been freed from the paternal hand or from that of him in whose power they had been placed. For who can reproach them if they have not done this, which even if they had preferred, they were in no way able to fulfill, the law standing in the way? <a 530 d. 15 k. april.
Ut perfectius omnibus consulamus et nemini absentia vel potentia vel infantia penitus adversarii sui noceat, sed sit aliqua inter desides et vigilantes differentia, sancimus: si quando afuerit is, qui res alienas vel creditori obnoxias detinet, et desiderat dominus rei vel creditor suam intentionem proponere et non ei licentia sit, absente suo adversario qui rem detinet, vel infantia vel furore laborante et neminem tutorem vel curatorem habente, vel in magna potestate constituto, licentia ei detur adire praesidem vel libellum ei porrigere et hoc in querimoniam deducere intra constituta tempora et interruptionem temporis facere: et sufficere hoc ad plenissimam interruptionem. * iust. a. iohanni pp. * <a 531 d. xv k. nov.
So that we may look out more perfectly for all, and that to no one may the absence, or the power, or the infancy of his adversary wholly do harm, but that there be some difference between the slothful and the vigilant, we ordain: if ever the one who detains things belonging to another, or things obligated to a creditor, is absent, and the owner of the thing or the creditor desires to put forward his claim, and he does not have license to do so, his adversary who detains the thing being absent, or suffering from infancy or madness and having no guardian or curator, or being placed in great power, let license be given to him to approach the governor or to present a libellus to him and to bring this into complaint within the times set and to make an interruption of time; and let this suffice for a most complete interruption. * Justinian Augustus to John, the Praetorian Prefect. * <year 531, on the 15th day before the Kalends of November.
Sin autem nullo poterit modo praesidem adire, saltem ad episcopum locorum eat vel defensorem civitatis et suam manifestare voluntatem in scriptis deproperet. sin autem afuerit vel praeses vel episcopus vel defensor, liceat ei et proponere publice, ubi domicilium habet possessor, seu cum tabulariorum subscriptione vel , si civitas tabularios non habeat, cum trium testium subscriptione: et hoc sufficere ad omnem temporalem interruptionem sive triennii sive longi temporis sive triginta vel quadraginta annorum sit. <a 531 d. xv k. nov.
But if he will in no way be able to approach the governor, let him at least go to the bishop of the places or the defender of the city and hasten to manifest his will in writings. But if either the governor or the bishop or the defender shall be absent, let it be permitted to him also to post publicly where the possessor has his domicile, either with the subscription of the tabularii (public record‑keepers), or, if the city should not have tabularii, with the subscription of three witnesses: and let this suffice for every temporal interruption, whether of three years or of long time or of thirty or forty years. <in the year 531, on the 15th day before the Kalends of November.
Omnibus aliis, quae de longi temporis praescriptione vel triginta vel quadraginta annorum curriculis constituta sunt sive ab antiquis legum conditoribus sive a nostra maiestate, in suo robore duraturis. <a 531 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
All other provisions, which have been established concerning long-time prescription, whether of 30- or 40-year courses, either by the ancient lawgivers or by our majesty, shall remain in their own force. <a in the year 531, on the 15th day before the Kalends of November (October 18), at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Si ex multis causis quendam obnoxium habens, et maxime ex similibus quantitatibus, in unius quidem causae summam libellum conventionis composuerit, causam tamen non expresserit, apud veteres agitabatur, an videatur omnes causas in iudicium deduxisse aut vetustissimam earum aut nihil fecisse, cum eius sensus incertus esse apparebat. * iust. a. iohanni pp. * <a 531 d. xv k. nov.
If, having someone liable on many causes, and especially for like quantities, he has composed a libellus of suit for the sum of a single cause, yet has not expressed the cause, it was agitated among the ancients whether he seems to have brought all the causes into judgment, or the most ancient of them, or to have done nothing, since his meaning appeared to be uncertain. * Justinian Augustus to John, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 531 d. 15 k. nov.
Sed et in iudiciis in multis casibus tales altercationes ventilatas invenimus, et maxime propter longi temporis interruptionem. si enim personalis forte fuerat mota actio, hypothecariae autem actionis nulla mentio procedebat, quidam putabant personalem quidem esse temporis interruptione perpetuatam, hypothecariam autem evanescere taciturnitate sopitam. <a 531 d. xv k. nov.
But also in judgments we have found in many cases such altercations aired, and especially on account of an interruption of long time. For if perchance a personal action had been set in motion, but no mention of the hypothecary action was proceeding, some thought that the personal [action] indeed was perpetuated by the interruption of time, but that the hypothecary [action] vanished, lulled to sleep by taciturnity. <a 531 d. 15 k. nov.
Et si quis generaliter dixerat obnoxium sibi aliquem constitutum, aliae dubitationes emergebant, si omnes ei competentes actiones huiusmodo narratione contineri credantur, an vero quasi silentio circa eas habito tempore expirare, nullo ex incerta libelli confectione adminiculo eis adquisito. <a 531 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
And if someone had generally said that a certain person was constituted liable to him, other doubts arose, whether all actions competent to him are thought to be contained by a narration in this manner, or rather, as if silence having been kept concerning them, they expire by lapse of time, no aid having been acquired for them from the uncertain drafting of the libellus. <in 531, on the 15th day before the Kalends of November, at constantinople, after the consulate of lampadius and orestes, most distinguished men.>
Sancimus itaque nullam in iudiciis in posterum locum habere talem confusionem, sed qui obnoxium suum in iudicium clamaverit et libellum conventionis ei transmiserit, licet generaliter nullius causae mentionem habentem vel unius quidem specialiter, tantummodo autem personales actiones vel hypothecarias continentem, nihilo minus videri ius suum omne eum in iudicium deduxisse et esse interrupta temporum curricula, cum contra desides homines et sui iuris contemptores odiosae exceptiones oppositae sunt. <a 531 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
We therefore ordain that such confusion shall in future have no place in judgments; but that he who has summoned his debtor into court and has transmitted to him a bill of complaint, even if it generally contains mention of no cause, or indeed only of one specifically, but contains only personal actions or hypothecary (mortgage) actions, nevertheless is to be deemed to have brought all his right into court, and that the courses of time are interrupted, since odious exceptions are set up against slothful men and despisers of their own right. <a 531, day 15 before the Kalends of November, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Quamvis fluminis naturalem cursum opere manu facto alio non liceat avertere, tamen ripam suam adversus rapidi amnis impetum munire prohibitum non est. et cum fluvius priore alveo derelicto alium sibi facit, ager quem circumivit prioris domini manet. quod si paulatim ita auferat aliique parti applicet, id adluvionis iure ei quaeritur, cuius fundus crescit.
Although it is not permitted to divert the natural course of a river elsewhere by manual work, nevertheless it is not forbidden to fortify one’s bank against the onset of a rapid stream. And when a river, with its former channel abandoned, makes another for itself, the field which it flowed around remains that of the prior owner. But if it carries off little by little and adds it to another part, that is acquired by the law of alluvion by him whose estate grows.
Hi, quos inundatio nili fluminis reddidit ditiores, pro terris quas possident tributorum praestationem agnoscant. et qui suum deplorant patrimonium imminutum, alieno saltem functionis onere liberentur et nostrae serenitatis largitate defensi, locorum etiam possessione contenti, pro agitandi census examine respondeant devotioni. * arcad.
Those whom the inundation of the river Nile has made richer should acknowledge the performance of tribute for the lands they possess; and those who lament their patrimony diminished should at least be freed from the burden of another’s assessment, and, defended by the largess of Our Serenity, content also with possession of the places, should answer with devotion according to the examination of the census to be conducted. * arcad.
Ea, quae per adluvionem sive in aegypto per nilum sive in aliis provinciis per diversa flumina possessoribus adquiruntur, neque ab aerario vendi neque a quolibet peti nec separatim censeri vel functiones exigi hac perpetuo lege valitura sancimus, ne vel adluvionum ignorare vitia vel rem noxiam possessoribus videamur indicere. * theodos. et valentin.
Those things which through alluvion, whether in Egypt by the Nile or in other provinces by various rivers, are acquired by possessors, we sanction by this law, which shall be in force perpetually, that they are neither to be sold by the treasury nor to be claimed by anyone, nor to be assessed separately or imposts exacted, lest we seem either to ignore the peculiarities of alluvions or to impose a harmful thing upon possessors. * theodos. et valentin.
Similiter ne ea quidem, quae paludibus antea vel pascuis videbantur adscripta, si sumptibus possessorum nunc ad frugum fertilitatem translata sunt, vel vendi vel peti vel quasi fertilia separatim censeri vel functiones exigi concedimus, ne doleant diligentes operam suam agri dedisse culturae nec diligentiam suam damnosam intellegant. <a 440 d. xi k. oct. constantinopoli valentiniano a. v et anatolio conss.>
Likewise, we do not concede that even those parcels which previously seemed assigned to marshes or to pastures, if now by the expenses of the possessors they have been transferred to the fertility of crops, be either sold or claimed or be assessed separately as if fertile, or that exactions be demanded, lest the diligent be grieved that they have given their effort to the cultivation of the field and come to understand their diligence as ruinous. <in the year 440, on the 11th day before the Kalends of October, at Constantinople, Valentinian Augustus 5 and Anatolius, consuls.>
Cuius legis temeratores quinquaginta librarum auri condemnatione coerceri decernimus: inter quos habendum est officium quoque tuae sedis excelsae, si aliquid eiusmodi suggesserit disponendum vel si preces instruxerit petitoris. <a 440 d. xi k. oct. constantinopoli valentiniano a. v et anatolio conss.>
We decree that violators of this law be coerced by a condemnation of fifty pounds of gold: among whom there is to be counted also the office of your exalted see, if it has suggested anything of this sort to be disposed, or if it has prepared the petitioner’s petitions. <a 440 d. 11 k. Oct. Constantinople Valentinian A. 5 and Anatolius consuls.>
Litigantibus in amplissimo praetorianae praefecturae iudicio, si contra ius se laesos adfirment, non provocandi, sed supplicandi licentiam ministramus, licet pro curia vel qualibet publica utilitate seu alia causa dicatur prolata sententia ( nec enim publice prodest singulis legum adminicula denegari) : ita videlicet, ut intra biennium tantum nostro numini contra cognitionales sedis praetorianae praefecturae sententias, post successionem iudicis numerandum, supplicandi eis tribuatur facultas. * theodos. et valentin.
To those litigating in the most distinguished tribunal of the Praetorian Prefecture, if they affirm that they have been injured contrary to right, we grant not the license of appealing, but of supplicating, even if the sentence is said to have been rendered for the curia or for any public utility or for some other cause ( for it is not a public benefit that the aids of the laws be denied to individuals): namely, that within only a biennium to our Majesty, against the cognitional judgments of the seat of the Praetorian Prefecture, to be counted after the succession of the judge, the faculty of supplicating be granted to them. * theodosius and valentinian.
Non semper compelleris, ut adversus absentem pronunties, propter subscriptionem patris mei, qua significavit etiam contra absentes sententiam dari solere. id enim eo pertinet, ut absentem damnare possis, non ut omnimodo necesse habeas. * t. ael.
You are not always compelled to pronounce against an absent party, on account of my father’s subscription, by which he signified that sentence is also wont to be given against absentees. For that tends to this: that you can condemn an absentee, not that you must do so in every case as a matter of necessity. * t. ael.
Ab eo iudicato recedi non potest, quod vobis absentibus et ignorantibus atque indefensis dicitis esse prolatum, si ubi primum cognovistis, non ilico de statutis querellam detulistis. ita enim firmitatem sententia, quae ita prolata est, non habebit, si ei non sit commodatus adsensus. * gord.
From the judgment rendered by him one cannot recede, which you say was pronounced while you were absent, unaware, and undefended, if, when first you learned of it, you did not immediately bring a complaint about the things decreed. For thus the sentence, which has been pronounced in such a manner, will not have firmness, if assent has not been lent to it. * gord.
Si, ut proponis, pars diversa die feriato absente et ignorante te ab iudice dato sententiam pro partibus suis, quasi contumaciter deesses, impetravit, non immerito praeses denuo negotium alterius iudicis notioni terminandum commisit. * philipp. a. domitio.
If, as you propose, the opposing party, on a holiday, with you absent and unaware, obtained from the appointed judge a sentence in its favor, as though you were contumaciously failing to appear, the governor not without reason entrusted the matter anew to the cognizance of another judge to be brought to an end. * philip the augustus to domitius.
Si, ut proponis, praeses provinciae, cum certum locum causae cognoscendae dedisset, alibi per obreptionem aditus sententiam adversus te absentem protulit, quod ita gestum est, ad effectum iuris spectare minime oportet. * philipp. a. et philipp.
If, as you set forth, the provincial governor, after he had assigned a definite place for the case to be heard, elsewhere, by obreption having obtained access, pronounced a judgment against you while you were absent, what was thus transacted ought in no way to have legal effect. * Philip, Augustus, and Philip.
Si praeses quasi desertam ab adultis tuis causam appellationis, quae ab adiutore suo facta fuerat, circumduxit eo tempore, quo adulti curatores non habebant, repetitus notionem suam exhibebit. neque enim debet adultis nocere, quidquid eo tempore statutum est, quo defensione iusta et curatoris auxilio fuerant destituti. * valer.
If the governor, as though the appeal-case—which had been made by his assistant—had been deserted by your young adults, put it off at the time when the young adults did not have curators, then, when called to account, he shall present his justification. For it ought not to harm the young adults, whatever was determined at a time when they had been deprived of lawful defense and the aid of a curator. * Valerian.
Consentaneum iuri fuit temporibus ad praesentiam partis adversae praescriptis praesidem provinciae impleta iuris sollemnitate et adversario tuo trinis litteris vel uno pro omnibus peremptorio edicto, ut praesentiam sui faceret, commonefacto, si in eadem contumacia perseveravit, praesentis adlegationes audire. quod vel successor eius facere curabit. a quo ter citatus si contumaciter praesentiam sui facere neglexerit, non abs re erit vel ad cogendum eum, ut se repraesentaret , possessionem bonorum cui incumbit ad te transferre et adversarium petitorem constituere, vel auditis defensionibus tuis id quod iuris ratio exegerit iudicare.
It was consonant with law that, when times had been prescribed for the appearance of the opposing party by the provincial governor, the solemnity of law having been fulfilled, and your adversary having been reminded by three letters or by one peremptory edict for all, to make his appearance, if he persisted in the same contumacy, he should hear the allegations of the party present. Which his successor also will take care to do. By whom, if thrice cited he has contumaciously neglected to make his appearance, it will not be out of place either, for the purpose of compelling him to present himself, to transfer to you possession of the goods of the person on whom it is incumbent and to constitute the adversary as plaintiff, or, after your defenses have been heard, to adjudge that which the reason of law shall have required.
Cum praesentibus partibus litem inchoatam proponas, si, posteaquam contra te licet absentem pronuntiatum est, intra praefinitum diem non appellasti, latam sententiam rescindi postulanti multae sacrae constitutiones refragantur. * diocl. et maxim.
When you assert that a suit was initiated with the parties present, if, after judgment has been pronounced against you, although you were absent, you did not appeal within the prescribed day, many sacred constitutions oppose one who asks that the sentence delivered be rescinded. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Hac lege perpetua credimus ordinandum, ut iudices, quos cognoscendi et pronuntiandi necessitas teneret, non subitas, sed deliberatione habita post negotium sententias ponderatas sibi ante formarent et emendatas statim in libellum secuta fidelitate conferrent scriptasque ex libello partibus legerent, sed ne sit eis posthac copia corrigendi vel mutandi. * valentin. valens et grat.
By this perpetual law we believe it should be ordained that judges, whom the necessity of inquiring and pronouncing holds, should not issue sudden sentences, but, deliberation having been held after the case, should first frame for themselves weighed judgments, and, once emended, immediately commit them, with fidelity observed, into a booklet, and read them to the parties from the booklet; but that thereafter there be for them no opportunity of correcting or changing. * Valentinian, Valens, and Gratian.
Exceptis tam viris eminentissimis praefectis praetorio quam aliis illustrem administrationem gerentibus ceterisque illustribus iudicibus, quibus licentia conceditur etiam per officium suum et eos, qui ministerium suum eis accommodant, sententias definitivas recitare. <a 371 d. xii k. febr. gratiano a. ii et probo conss.>
With the exception both of the most eminent men, the Praetorian Prefects, and of others conducting an illustrious administration, and of the other illustrious judges, to whom license is granted to recite definitive sentences even through their own office and through those who lend their service to them. <a 371 d. 12 k. febr. gratiano a. 2 et probo conss.>
Non videtur nobis rationem habere sententia decessoris tui, qui cum cognovisset inter petitorem et procuratorem, non procuratorem, sed ipsam dominam litis condemnavit, cuius persona in iudicio non fuit. potes igitur ut re integra de causa cognoscere. * sev.
It does not seem to us that the sentence of your predecessor has reason, who, when he had taken cognizance between the petitioner and the procurator, condemned not the procurator, but the mistress of the suit herself, whose person was not in judgment. You can therefore, the matter being intact, take cognizance of the case. * sev.
Cum eorum, qui principaliter fisco tenebantur, bona ea lege fideiussoribus procurator tradi iusserit, ut ipsi indemnitatem fisco praestarent, nec a sententia eius intercesserit provocatio, consequens est datae formae obtemperari. * philipp. a. et philipp.
When the procurator has ordered that the goods of those who were primarily liable to the fisc be delivered to the sureties on this condition, that they themselves provide indemnity to the fisc, and no appeal has intervened from his sentence, it follows that the prescribed form must be obeyed. * Philip, Augustus, and Philip.
Ex stipulatione parta actione pacisci proximis personis suadendo praeses provinciae verborum obligationem, quam certo iure tolli tantum licet, extinguere non potest, nec vox omnis iudicis iudicati continet auctoritatem, cum potestatem sententiae certis finibus concludi saepe sit constitutum. * diocl. et maxim.
From an action arising out of a stipulation, by advising the nearest persons to compromise, the provincial governor cannot extinguish a verbal obligation, which may only be removed by a definite law; nor does every utterance of a judge contain the authority of a thing adjudged, since it has often been established that the power of a sentence is enclosed within certain limits. * diocl. et maxim.
Verum si mota quaestione, praemissa denuntiatione ei, qui auctor huius mulieris fuit, iudicatum processit, quanti tua interest, empti, si emisti, vel ob debitum reddendum, si in solutum data est, repetere non prohiberis. <>
But if, the question having been raised, with prior denunciation given to him who was the auctor (seller/guarantor) of this woman, a judgment has issued, you are not prohibited to recover, to the extent of your interest, by the action of purchase, if you bought, or on account of a debt to be repaid, if she was given in payment (in solutum). <>
Post sententiam, quae finibus certis concluditur, ab eo qui pronuntiaverat vel eius successore de quaestione, quae iam decisa est, statuta rei iudicatae non obtinent auctoritatem: nam nec de possessione pronuntiata proprietati ullum praeiudicium adferunt nec interlocutiones ullam causam plerumque perimunt. * diocl. et maxim.
After a sentence, which is concluded within fixed bounds, determinations by the one who had pronounced it or by his successor, concerning a question already decided, do not obtain the authority of res judicata: for neither do pronouncements rendered about possession bring any prejudice to proprietorship, nor do interlocutions for the most part extinguish any case. * diocl. and maxim.
Nemo iudex vel arbiter existimet neque consultationes, quas non rite iudicatas esse putaverit, sequendum, et multo magis sententias eminentissimorum praefectorum vel aliorum procerum ( non enim, si quid non bene dirimatur, hoc et in aliorum iudicum vitium extendi oportet, cum non exemplis, sed legibus iudicandum est), nec si cognitionales sint amplissimae praefecturae vel alicuius maximi magistratus prolatae sententiae: sed omnes iudices nostros veritatem et legum et iustitiae sequi vestigia sancimus. * iust. a. demostheni pp. * <a 529 d. iii k. nov.>
Let no judge or arbiter suppose that either consultations, which he may think have not been duly adjudged, are to be followed—and much less the sentences of the most eminent prefects or of other grandees ( for it is not fitting that, if something is not well decided, this should also be extended into the fault of other judges, since one must judge not by examples but by laws), nor even if the sentences have been delivered in cognitional proceedings of the amplest prefecture or of some very great magistracy: but we sanction that all our judges follow the footsteps of truth and of the laws and of justice. * Justinian Augustus to Demosthenes, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 529 on the 3rd day before the Kalends of November.>
Cum papinianus summi ingenii vir in quaestionibus suis rite disposuit non solum iudicem de absolutione rei iudicare, sed ipsum actorem, si e contrario obnoxius fuerit inventus, condemnare, huiusmodi sententiam non solum roborandam, sed etiam augendam esse sancimus, ut liceat iudici vel contra actorem ferre sententiam et aliquid eum daturum vel facturum pronuntiare, nulla ei opponenda exceptione, quod non competens iudex agentis esse cognoscitur. cuius enim in agendo observavit arbitrium, eum habere et contra se iudicem in eodem negotio non dedignetur. * iust.
Since Papinian, a man of the highest genius, in his Questions duly laid down not only that the judge should judge concerning the absolution of the defendant, but that the plaintiff himself, if on the contrary he be found liable, should be condemned, we sanction that a sentence of this kind is not only to be strengthened but even to be enlarged, so that it may be permitted to the judge even to render judgment against the plaintiff and to pronounce that he shall give or do something, no exception being opposed to him on the ground that he is recognized as not a competent judge of the one bringing suit. For he whose discretion in bringing the action he observed, let him not disdain to have that same man as judge also against himself in the same business. * iust.
Cum solitum est in sententiis iudicum sic interlocutionem proferri, ut non liceat partibus ante definitivam sententiam ad appellationis vel recusationis venire auxilium, quidam putabant non licere ante litem contestatam nec iudicem recusare, quemadmodum nec ab eo appellare. cum enim simul utrumque vocabulum ponitur tam appellationis quam recusationis, provocatio autem ante litem contestatam non potest porrigi, putabant, quod nec recusare quidem iudicem cuidam conceditur ante litem contestatam. quod minime vetitum est.
Since it is customary in judges’ sentences that an interlocutory pronouncement be issued in such a way that it is not permitted to the parties, before the definitive sentence, to resort to the aid of appellation or recusation, some were thinking that before the suit is contested it is not allowed to recuse a judge, just as it is not allowed to appeal from him. For since both terms are set together, both of appellation and of recusation, and a provocatio cannot be presented before the suit is contested, they were thinking that not even to recuse a judge is granted to anyone before the suit is contested. This is by no means forbidden.
Haec sententia: " omnem debiti quantitatem cum usuris competentibus solve" iudicati actionem parare non potest, cum apud iudices ita demum sine certa quantitate facta condemnatio auctoritate rei iudicatae censeatur, si parte aliqua actorum certa sit quantitas comprehensa. * gord. a. aemilio.
This formulation: " pay the whole amount of the debt with the appropriate interest" cannot furnish an action on the judgment, since before the judges only then is a condemnation entered without a certain amount deemed to have the authority of res judicata, if in some part of the record a definite amount has been included. * gordian augustus to aemilius.
Haec sententia: " quae bona fide accepisti, solve , cum incertum esset quid accepisset quantumque ab eo peteretur, praesertim cum ipse qui extra ordinem iudicabat interlocutus sit dotem datam quae repeteretur non liquidam esse, iudicati auctoritate non nititur. cum igitur is qui postea iudicabat contra te certam sententiam protulit neque ab statutis provocaveris, ipsa tuo facto confirmasti iudicatum. * gord.
This opinion: " what you accepted in good faith, pay , when it was uncertain what he had accepted and how much was being sought from him, especially since the very man who was judging extra ordinem had interlocuted that the dowry given which was being sought back was not liquid, does not rely on the authority of a judgment. therefore, since he who later was judging brought forth a certain sentence against you and you did not appeal under the statutes, by this very deed of yours you confirmed the judgment itself. * gord.
Sancimus itaque in omnibus casibus, qui certam habent quantitatem vel naturam, veluti in venditionibus et locationibus et omnibus contractibus, quod hoc interest dupli quantitatem minime excedere: in aliis autem casibus, qui incerti esse videntur, iudices, qui causas dirimendas suscipiunt, per suam subtilitatem requirere, ut, quod re vera inducitur damnum, hoc reddatur et non ex quibusdam machinationibus et immodicis perversionibus in circuitus inextricabiles redigatur, ne, dum in infinitum computatio reducitur, pro sua impossibilitate cadat, cum scimus esse naturae congruum eas tantummodo poenas exigi, quae cum competenti moderatione proferuntur vel a legibus certo fine conclusae statuuntur. <a 531 d. k. sept. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestae vv. cc.>
We sanction, therefore, in all cases which have a determinate quantity or nature—such as in sales and leases and all contracts—that the amount of damages (hoc interest) shall by no means exceed double the amount; but in other cases, which appear to be uncertain, the judges who undertake causes for decision shall, by their own subtlety, inquire so that the loss which is in truth incurred be restored, and that it not be reduced by certain machinations and immoderate perversions into inextricable circuits, lest, while the computation is driven into the infinite, it collapse by reason of its own impossibility; since we know it is congruent to nature that only those penalties be exacted which are brought forward with appropriate moderation or are established by the laws as concluded with a definite limit. <a 531 on the Kalends of September, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Et hoc non solum in damno, sed etiam in lucro nostra amplectitur constitutio, quia et ex eo veteres quod interest statuerunt: et sit omnibus, secundum quod dictum est, finis antiquae prolixitatis huius constitutionis recitatio. <a 531 d. k. sept. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestae vv. cc.>
And our constitution embraces this not only in loss but also in profit, since even on that score the ancients determined what the interest amounts to; and, as has been said, let the reading of this constitution be for all the end of the ancient prolixity. <a 531 d. k. sept. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestae vv. cc.>
Si militaris iudex super ea causa, de qua civilibus actionibus disceptandum fuit , non datus, a quo dari poterat, cognovit, etiam remota appellatione id quod ab eo statutum est firmitatem non habet iudicati. * gord. a. liciniae.
If a military judge, with respect to that cause, about which it had to be disputed by civil actions, not appointed by the one by whom he could be appointed, took cognizance, even with appeal removed, that which was established by him does not have the firmness of a judgment. * gordian aug. to licinia.
Si de proprietate datus iudex adversus te nihil super hac statuit, rector aditus provinciae causam hanc cognoscere suaque decidere sententia curabit, cum et, si quid de possessione pronuntiatum probetur, hoc causae proprietatis minime noceat. * diocl. et maxim.
If, concerning proprietorship, the appointed judge has established nothing against you on this matter, the governor of the province, when approached, will take care to examine this cause and to decide it by his own sentence, since also, if anything is proved to have been pronounced about possession, this does not in the least harm the cause of proprietorship. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Constitit in quacumque causa sive privata sive publica sive fiscali, ut, cuicumque data fuerit pecunia, vel iudici vel adversario, amittat actionem is, qui diffidentia iustae sententiae in pecuniae corruptela spem negotii reposuerit. * ant. a. ad gaudium.
It is established that, in any case, whether private, public, or fiscal, if money has been given to anyone—either to the judge or to the adversary—the party who, through distrust of a just sentence, has placed the hope of his suit in the corruption of money shall lose his action. * Antoninus Augustus to Gaudius.
Litigator victus, qui post conventionem rei incubarit alienae, non in sola rei redhibitione teneatur nec tantum fructuum praestationem aut eorum quos ipse percepit agnoscat, sed eos, quos percipi oportuisse, non quos eum redegisse constabit, exsolvat ex eo, ex quo re in iudicium deducta scientiam malae possessionis accepit. heredis quoque succedentis in vitium par habenda fortuna est. * valentin.
The defeated litigant, who after the convening of suit concerning the thing has squatted upon another’s property, is not to be held only to the redhibition of the thing, nor should he acknowledge only the prestation of the fruits or of those which he himself has perceived; rather, he shall pay those which ought to have been perceived, not those which it will be established that he actually realized, from the time from which, the thing having been brought into judgment, he received knowledge of his wrongful possession. A like condition is to be held also for the heir who succeeds into the vice. * valentin.
Terminato transactoque negotio posthac nulli actio neque ex rescripto super sumptuum repetitione praestetur, nisi iudex, qui de principali negotio sententiam promulgavit, cominus partibus constitutis iuridica pronuntiatione signaverit victori causae restitui debere expensas aut super his querellam iure competere. post absolutum enim dimissumque iudicium nefas est litem alteram consurgere ex litis primae materia. * honor.
Once the business has been brought to an end and concluded, thereafter let no action be afforded to anyone, nor on the basis of a rescript, for the recovery of expenses, unless the judge who promulgated the sentence on the principal matter, with the parties set face-to-face, has by a juridical pronouncement signified that the costs ought to be restored to the victor in the case, or that a complaint concerning these matters rightly lies. For after the judgment has been completed and dismissed, it is unlawful for a second lawsuit to arise from the subject-matter of the first lawsuit. * Honorius.
Non ignoret is, cuius ex interpellatione aliquis secundum datam formam in longinqua fuerit protractus examina, quod, si culpa sui fuerit dilata cognitio vel minime actioni suae adfuerit vel delata probaverit, pro calumnia quidem poenam luat legibus constitutam, pro vero pecuniaria causa post dispendia, post sumptus considerata quantitate postulatorum vel medii itineris intervallo condemnationem pro aestimatione iudicis sustinebit. * edictum valentiniani et marciani aa. ad pop. * <a 450 d.V id.Oct.Constantinopoli valentiniano a. vii et avieno conss.>
Let him not be ignorant, the one at whose interpellation someone has been protracted to far‑off examinations according to the given form, that, if through his own fault the hearing shall have been delayed, or he shall in no way have been present to his action, or shall have failed to prove the matters alleged, he shall pay, for calumny, the penalty established by the laws; but as to the true pecuniary cause, after disbursements, after expenses, with the quantity of the claims or the interval of the intermediate journey considered, he will sustain a condemnation according to the judge’s estimation. * edict of Valentinian and Marcian, emperors, to the people. * <a 450 d.5 id.Oct. Constantinople, Valentinian, Augustus, in his 7th consulship, and Avienus, consuls.>
Cum quidam per leges sacrasque constitutiones, alii per speciales largitates sibi praestituta privilegia praetendunt tam super sportulis pro conventionibus usque ad certam quantitatem praebendis quam super expensis litium vel minuendis vel penitus non agnoscendis, per hanc legem decernimus, ut, quicumque huiusmodi privilegio munitus est vel postea talem praerogativam quolibet modo meruerit, sciat , et si quos ipse utpote obnoxius sibi pro quacumque criminali vel civili causa constitutos in accusationem deduxerit, hos nihilo minus isdem privilegiis potituros, quoniam non est ferendum eos, qui praefatas praerogativas, ut ante latum est, praetendunt, aliquid plus ab adversariis suis quaerere concedi, quam ipsi ab aliis pulsati facere patiantur: ita scilicet, ut haec forma modis omnib us observetur super privilegiis per liberalitates vel generaliter quibusdam officiis aut scholis seu dignitatibus vel specialiter certis personis praestitis vel postea praebendis, sive hoc ipsum expressim principalibus dispositionibus vel adfatibus insertum sive praetermissum sit vel fuerit. * anastas. a. stephano mag.
Since some, through sacred laws and constitutions, and others, through special largesses, put forward privileges granted to themselves—both concerning sportulae to be provided for conventions up to a certain quantity and concerning the expenses of lawsuits, either to be reduced or not acknowledged at all—by this law we decree that whoever is fortified with a privilege of this kind, or shall afterwards in any manner have merited such a prerogative, let him know , that even if he himself, as being liable, has brought into accusation any persons appointed against him for whatever criminal or civil cause, these will nonetheless obtain the same privileges, since it is not to be borne that those who, as was set forth above, allege the aforesaid prerogatives should be permitted to seek anything more to be exacted from their adversaries than they allow themselves to be made to do when they are sued by others: namely, in such a way that this form be observed in every way concerning privileges granted by liberalities either generally to certain offices or schools or dignities, or specially to certain persons, or to be provided hereafter, whether this very point has been expressly inserted in the principal dispositions or addresses or has been omitted or shall have been omitted. * anastasius augustus to stephanus, magister.
Rebus quidem iudicatis standum est. sed si probare poteris eum cui condemnatus es id quod furto amisisse videbatur recepisse, adversus iudicati agentem doli exceptione opposita tueri te poteris. * ant.
Matters already adjudicated must indeed stand. But if you can prove that the person in whose favor you were condemned has recovered what he seemed to have lost by theft, you will be able to defend yourself, by opposing the exception of fraud (exceptio doli), against one suing on the judgment. * ant.
Si causam iudicati non novasti, rem iudicatam praeses provinciae etiam pignoribus captis ac distractis ad emolumentum perduci iubebit. quod si novata causa est , ex stipulatu tibi actio competit et iudice accepto secundum iuris formam experire. * ant.
If you have not renewed the cause of the adjudicated matter, the governor of the province will also order the res judicata, with pledges seized and sold, to be brought to profit. But if the cause has been renewed , an action from the stipulation is competent to you, and with a judge accepted, try the case according to the form of law. * ant.
Ordo rei gestae et mora solutionis, quae intercessit, constantius desiderat remedium. si itaque praesidem provinciae, qui rem iudicatam exsequi debet, adieris et adlegaveris res soli, quae pignori datae sunt, diu subhastatas ex compacto sive ambitione diversae partis emptorem non invenire, in possessionem earum te mittet, ut vel hoc remedio res tam diu tracta ad effectum perducatur. * ant.
The course of the transaction and the delay of payment, which has intervened, more steadfastly demands a remedy. If, therefore, you approach the governor of the province, who ought to execute the matter adjudged, and you allege that the things of the soil (real property), which were given in pledge, though long put up for auction, by compact or by the ambition of the opposite party are not finding a purchaser, he will send you into possession of them, so that even by this remedy the matter so long drawn out may be brought to effect. * ant.
Si, ut proponis, rerum iudicatarum exsecutor datus partes sibi iudicis vindicavit et contra ea, quae pridem pro partibus tuis fuerunt statuta, aliquid pronuntiandum putavit, sententia ab eo dicta vim rei iudicatae obtinere nequaquam potest. * philipp. a. et philipp.
If, as you set forth, an executor of res judicata was appointed and he claimed for himself the parts of a judge, and thought that something should be pronounced contrary to those things which had previously been decreed for your side, a sentence spoken by him can by no means obtain the force of res judicata. * Philip Augustus and Philip.
Si longis apertisque frustrationibus partis adversae restitutio remorata est, etiam servis rebus humanis exemptis a frustratore aestimatio eorum restituenda est. animalia quoque cum fetubus tibi intercessu praesidis repraesentabuntur. * diocl.
If by the adversary party’s long and open acts of frustration the restitution has been delayed, even for slaves who have been removed from human affairs by the frustrator, their valuation must be restored. The animals also, together with their offspring, will be presented back to you through the intervention of the governor. * diocl.
Eos, quos debitores tuos esse contendis, apud rectorem conveni provinciae, qui, sive confessi debitum sive negantes et convicti fuerint condemnati nec intra statutum spatium solutioni satisfecerint, cum latae sententiae pignoribus etiam captis ac distractis secundum ea quae saepe constituta sunt meruerunt exsecutionem, iuris formam tibi custodiet. * diocl. et maxim.
Those whom you contend to be your debtors, bring suit before the governor of the province, who—whether they have confessed the debt or, denying it, have been convicted and condemned—and if they have not satisfied payment within the prescribed period, since upon judgment being pronounced they have incurred execution, with pledges even seized and sold off according to what has often been established, will safeguard for you the form of law. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Fiscus, qui bona secundum se dicta sententia persequitur, eas quoque rationes habiturus est, ut, qui post legitimum tempus placitis non obtemperavit, usuram centesimam temporis quod postea fluxerit solvat. * ant. a. procuratoribus hereditatium.
The fiscus, which pursues the goods pursuant to a judgment pronounced in its favor, will also have these reckonings: that he who, after the lawful time, has not obeyed the decrees shall pay centesimal interest for the time which has thereafter elapsed. * Antoninus Augustus to the procurators of inheritances.
Eos, qui condemnati solutionem pecuniarum, quas dependere iussi sunt, ultra quattuor menses a die condemnationis vel, si provocatio fuerit oblata, a die confirmationis sententiae connumerandos distulerint, centesimas usuras exigi praecipimus: nec priscis legibus, quae duas centesimas eis inferebant, nec nostra sanctione, quae dimidiam centesimae statuit, locum in eorum personam habentibus. * iust. a. menae pp. * <a 529 d. vii id. april.
Those who, having been condemned to the payment of monies which they were ordered to pay, have deferred beyond four months to be counted from the day of condemnation—or, if an appeal has been lodged, from the day of the confirmation of the sentence—we order that hundredth interest be exacted; and neither the earlier laws, which imposed two hundredths upon them, nor our sanction, which fixed half of a hundredth, shall have place in their case. * Justinian Augustus to Mena, Praetorian Prefect. * <a in the year 529, on the 7th day before the Ides of April.
Sancimus, ut si quis condemnatus fuerit, post datas a nobis quadrimenstres indutias centesimas quidem usuras secundum naturam iudicati eum compelli solvere, sed tantummodo sortis et non usurarum, quae ex pristino contractu in condemnationem deductae sunt. cum enim iam constituimus usurarum usuras penitus esse delendas, nullum casum relinquimus, ex quo huiusmodi machinatio possit induci. * iust.
We decree that, if anyone has been condemned, after the four‑month grace periods granted by us, he be compelled to pay centesimal interest according to the nature of the judgment, but only on the principal and not on the interest which from the prior contract has been brought into the condemnation. For since we have already established that interest upon interest is to be utterly eliminated, we leave no case from which such a contrivance could be introduced. * iust.
Si enim sine emendatione relinquatur, aliquid absurdum atque inelegans necesse est evenire, cum utiliter ex contractibus descendentes plerumque minores centesimae ex nostra lege factae sunt et necesse est minoribus usuris graviores supponi. si enim ex iudicati actione centesimae omnimodo currunt usurae, ex contractibus autem hoc raro contingit in capitulis lege nostra tantummodo exceptis, huiusmodo iniquitatem ipsa necessitas rerum introducebat. <a 531 d. v k. dec.
For if it were left without emendation, something absurd and inelegant must needs occur, since, usefully, as we descend from contracts, for the most part lesser “hundredths” have been established by our law, and it would be necessary that heavier charges be imposed upon lesser usuries. For if, from the action on a judgment, usuries at the hundredth in every way run, but from contracts this rarely happens, only the chapters excepted by our law, the very necessity of affairs was introducing an inequity of this sort. <a 531 d. v k. dec.
Et ideo pio remedio causam corrigentes sancimus sortis tantummodo usuras usque ad centesimam currentes ex iudicati actione profligari, non autem usurarum quantascumque usuras. si enim novatur iudicati actione prior contractus, necesse est usurarum quidem, quae anterioris contractus sunt, cursum post sententias inhiberi, alias autem usuras ex iudicati actione tantummodo sortis procedere, et non ideo, quod forsitan consummata est quantitas sortis et usurarum, totius summae usuras postea colligi, sed sortis tantummodo. <a 531 d. v k. dec.
And therefore, correcting the matter by a pious remedy, we sanction that only interest on the principal, running up to the hundredth, be exacted by an action on the judgment, but not interest-on-interest of whatever amount. For if by an action on the judgment the prior contract is novated, it is necessary that the course of the interest which belong to the earlier contract be inhibited after the judgments, but that other interest from the action on the judgment proceed only from the principal; and not therefore, because perhaps the amount of principal and interest has been made up, that interest on the whole sum be thereafter collected, but only on the principal. <a 531 on the 5th day before the Kalends of December
Et cum antiquitas pessimo exemplo reis quidem condemnatis laxamentum duorum mensum praestabat, fideiussores autem eorum eodem uti beneficio non concedebat, ut liceret victoribus relictis propter legem condemnatis personis a fideiussoribus eorum vel mandatoribus statim pecunias vel res in condemnatione positas exigere, huiusmodi acerbitatem resecantes sancimus quadrimenstres indutias, quas dedimus condemnatis, etiam ad fideiussores eorum et mandatores extendi, ne legi fiat derogatum. cum enim interventor solvere compellatur et ipse reum coerceat ad invitam solutionem, nullum condemnatus habebat nostrae sensum humanitatis, quia per medium fideiussorem statim pecunias persolvere compellebatur. <a 531 d. v k. de c. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc.>
And whereas antiquity, by a very bad example, did indeed grant to defendants who had been condemned a respite of two months, but did not allow their sureties to enjoy the same beneficium—so that it was permitted to the victors, the condemned persons being left aside because of the law, to demand at once from their sureties or mandators the monies or the things placed in the condemnation—cutting away such harshness we sanction that the four-month stays which we have given to the condemned shall also be extended to their sureties and mandators, lest the law be derogated. For since the interventor, when he is compelled to pay, in turn coerces the defendant to an unwilling payment, the condemned had no share in our sense of humanity, because through the intermediary of the surety he was compelled immediately to pay monies. <a in the year 531, on the fifth day before the Kalends of December, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Si non singuli in solidum, sed generaliter tu et collega tuus una et certa quantitate condemnati estis nec additum, ut, quod ab altero servari non possit, alter suppleret, effectus sententiae virilibus portionibus discretus est. ideoque parens pro tua portione sententiae ob cessationem alterius ex causa iudicati conveniri non potes. * alex.
If not each individually in solidum, but generally you and your colleague were condemned in one and a definite quantity, and it was not added that what could not be recovered from the one the other should supply, the effect of the sentence is separated into virile portions. And therefore, parent, on account of the other’s cessation, you cannot be proceeded against on the ground of the adjudged matter for anything beyond your share of the sentence. * alex.
Interlocutio praesidis apud acta signata: " nisi solutioni debiti is qui convenitur obsequium praestitisset, duplum seu quadruplum inferat" voluntas potius comminantis quam sententia iudicantis est, cum placitum eiusmodi ne rei iudicatae auctoritatem obtineat, iuris ratio declaret. * gord. a. asclepiadi.
An interlocution of the governor, signed among the acts: "unless the one who is convened renders obedience to the payment of the debt, let him pay double or quadruple," is rather the will of one threatening than the sentence of one judging, since the rationale of law declares that a determination of such a kind does not obtain the authority of res judicata. * Gordian Augustus to Asclepiades.
Quod magno conflictu sententia decerni solet, id paucis litteris temere adscriptis definiri fas non est. * const. a. ad bassum pp. * <a 320 d.Xv k.April.Constantino a.Vi et constantino c. conss.>
What is customarily decided, after great conflict, by a judgment, it is not right to define by a few letters rashly appended. * constitution of the Augustus to Bassus, praetorian prefect. * <in the year 320, on the 15th day before the Kalends of April. Constantine Augustus, for the 6th time, and Constantine Caesar, consuls.>
Si tabulas testamenti, quas secutus proconsul vir clarissimus sententiam dixit, falsas dicere vis, praebebit notionem suam non obstante praescriptione rei iudicatae, quia nondum de falso quaesitum est. * sev. et ant.
If you wish to declare that the testamentary tablets, following which the proconsul, a most illustrious man, pronounced sentence, are false, he will take cognizance notwithstanding the prescription of res judicata, because no inquiry has yet been made concerning the forgery. * Severus and Antoninus.
Falsam quidem testationem, qua diversa pars in iudicio adversus te usa est, ut proponis, solito more arguere non prohiberis. sed causa iudicati in irritum non devocatur, nisi si probare poteris eum qui iudicaverat secutum eius instrumenti fidem, quod falsum esse constiterit, adversus te pronuntiasse. * alex.
You are not forbidden, as you set forth, to impugn in the customary manner the false attestation which the opposing party used in court against you. But the matter adjudged is not called into nullity, unless you can prove that the one who had judged, following the credit of that instrument which has been established to be false, pronounced against you. * alex.
Inter alios res gestas aliis non posse facere praeiudicium saepe constitutum est. unde licet quosdam de heredibus eius, quem debitorem tuum fuisse significas, solvisse commemores, tamen ceteri non alias ad solutionem urguentur, nisi debitum fuerit probatum. * diocl.
It has often been established that matters transacted among others cannot create prejudice for others. Whence, although you recount that certain of the heirs of him whom you signify to have been your debtor have paid, nevertheless the rest are not otherwise pressed to payment, unless the debt has been proven. * diocl.
Inter alios factam transactionem absenti non posse facere praeiudicium notissimi iuris est. quapropter adito praeside provinciae aviam tuam mancipium tibi donasse proba ac, si hoc iure ad te pertinere perspexerit, restitui tibi providebit. neque enim, si te absente divisionem eius fecerint, aliquid iuri tuo derogari poterit.
That a transaction made among others cannot prejudice an absent person is a most well-known point of law. Wherefore, by approaching the provincial governor, prove that your grandmother donated to you a slave (mancipium); and, if he has ascertained that this pertains to you by law, he will see to it that it is restored to you. For not even if, in your absence, they made a partition of her property can anything be derogated from your right.
Si cum fratre tuo matri successisti, frater pro portione tua cum debitoribus hereditariis paciscendo vel agendo, non ex tua voluntate, pro hereditaria parte tibi quaesitam obligationem extinguere non potuit. * diocl. et maxim.
If, together with your brother, you have succeeded to your mother, your brother, by compromising or by bringing suit with the hereditary debtors concerning your portion, not with your will, could not extinguish the obligation acquired for you with respect to the hereditary share. * diocl. and maxim.
Si quis iudicum duxerit esse referendum, nihil inter partes pronuntiet, sed magis super quo haesitandum putaverit, nostram consulat scientiam aut, si tulerit sententiam, minime postea, ne a se provocetur, relatione promissa terreat litigantes, sciens, quod, si hoc fecerit, nihilo minus iure appellationum res agitabitur. * const. a. profuturo praef.
If any of the judges shall have deemed that a reference ought to be made, let him pronounce nothing between the parties, but rather, on the point where he thinks he must hesitate, let him consult our knowledge; or, if he has delivered a sentence, let him by no means thereafter, in order that no appeal be taken from himself, terrify the litigants by a promised referral, knowing that, if he does this, nonetheless the matter will be agitated under the right of appeals. * Emperor Constantine to Profuturus, Prefect.
Quotiens autem ad nostram scientiam iudex se polliceatur relaturum, consultationis exemplum litigatoribus ilico edi apud acta iubeat, ut, si cui forte relatio minus plena vel contraria videatur, is refutatorias preces similiter apud acta sine aliqua frustratoria dilatione offerat. <a 319 d.Iiii id.Febr.Sirmio constantino a. et licinio c. conss.>
However, whenever a judge promises to report to our cognizance, let him order that a copy of the consultation be issued at once among the records to the litigants, so that, if perhaps the report seems to anyone less full or contrary, he may likewise offer refutatory petitions among the records without any frustratory delay. <a 319 day 4 before the Ides of February, at Sirmium, under the consuls Constantine Augustus and Licinius Caesar.>
Super delictis provincialium numquam rectores provinciarum ad scientiam principum putent esse referendum, nisi ediderint prius consultationis exemplum. quippe tunc demum relationibus plena maturitas est, cum vel adlegationibus refelluntur vel probantur adsensu. * valentin.
Regarding the offenses of provincials, let the governors of provinces never think that it must be referred to the knowledge of the princes, unless they have first issued an exemplar of the consultation. For only then at last is there full maturity for reports, when they are either refuted by allegations or approved by assent. * valentin.
Si quando ratio aut necessitas est in negotiis nostra iudicia requirendi expectandique responsa, omnem omnino causam relationis series comprehendat, ut recitata consultatione, quae ita est dirigenda, propemodum actorum recensione non opus sit: actis etiam necessario sociandis. * valentin. et valens aa. ad apodemium.
If ever there is reason or necessity, in affairs, to request our judgments and to await replies, let the series of the report comprise absolutely the whole case, so that, once the consultation has been read—which is to be directed thus—there is scarcely need of a review of the records; the records also being necessarily appended. * Valentinian and Valens, the Augusti, to Apodemius.
Praeses provinciae, ad quem appellasti, si non vitio neglegentiae vestrae tempus , quod ad reddendos apostolos praescriptum est, exemptum esse animadverterit, sed ex fatalis casus necessitate, diem functo eo qui eos perferebat, id accidisse cognoverit, iuxta perpetui iuris formam desiderio vestro medebitur. * diocl. et maxim.
The governor of the province, to whom you appealed, if he shall observe that the time , which is prescribed for returning the apostoli (letters of appeal), was not taken away by the fault of your negligence, but shall have learned that this happened by the necessity of a fatal mishap, the person who was conveying them having died, will, according to the form of the perpetual law, provide a remedy to your desire. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Eos, qui de appellationibus cognoscent ac iudicabunt, ita iudicium suum praebere convenient, ut intellegant, quod, cum appellatio post decisam per sententiam litem interposita fuerit, non ex occasione aliqua remittere negotium ad iudicem suum fas sit, sed omnem causam propria sententia determinare conveniat, cum salubritas legis constitutae ad id spectare videatur, ut post sententiam ab eo qui de appellatione cognoscit recursus fieri non possit ad iudicem, a quo fuerit provocatum. quapropter remittendi litigatores ad provincias remotam occasionem atque exclusam penitus intellegant, cum super omni causa interpositam provocationem vel iniustam tantum liceat pronuntiare vel iustam. * diocl.
Those who will take cognizance of and judge appeals ought to render their judgment in such a way as to understand that, when an appeal (provocation) has been interposed after the dispute has been decided by sentence, it is not permissible on any pretext to remit the matter to its judge, but it is fitting to determine the entire cause by their own sentence, since the soundness of the established law seems to look to this: that, after the sentence by him who takes cognizance of the appeal, recourse cannot be made to the judge from whom there was a provocation. Wherefore let them understand that the occasion of remitting litigants to the provinces is removed and utterly excluded, since, concerning every cause in which a provocation has been interposed, it is permitted only to pronounce the appeal either unjust or just. * diocl.
Si quid autem in agendo negotio minus se adlegasse litigator crediderit, quod in iudicio acto fuerit omissum, apud eum qui de appellatione cognoscit persequatur , cum votum gerentibus nobis aliud nihil in iudiciis quam iustitiam locum habere debere necessaria res forte transmissa non excludenda videatur. < s. die et consule.>
If, however, in conducting the case the litigant shall have believed that he alleged too little, something which in the held trial was omitted, let him pursue it before the one who takes cognizance of the appeal , since, as we who are bearing our vow deem that nothing other than justice ought to have place in trials, a necessary matter perhaps passed over should not seem to be excluded. < s. die et consule.>
Si quis autem post interpositam appellationem necessarias sibi putaverit esse poscendas personas, quo apud iudicem qui super appellatione cognoscet veritatem possit ostendere, quam existimabit occultam, hocque iudex fieri prospexerit, sumptus isdem ad faciendi itineris expeditionem praebere debebit, cum id iustitia ipsa persuadeat ab eo haec recognosci, qui evocandi personas sua interesse crediderit. < s. die et consule.>
If, moreover, after an interposed appeal someone shall have thought that persons necessary to himself ought to be demanded, in order that before the judge who will take cognizance over the appeal he may be able to show the truth which he will deem hidden, and the judge has provided that this be done, he must furnish to those same persons the expenses for the expedition of making the journey, since justice itself persuades that these matters be reviewed by him who has believed it to be in his own interest to summon persons. < s. die et consule.>
Super his vero, qui in capitalibus causis constituti appellaverint ( quos tamen et ipsos vel qui pro his provocabunt non nisi audita omni causa atque discussa post sententiam dictam appellare conveniet), id observandum esse sancimus, ut inopia idonei fideiussoris retentis in custodia reis opiniones suas iudices exemplo appellatoribus edito ac refutatorios eorum ad scrinia quorum interest transmittant, quibus gestarum rerum fides manifesta relatione pandatur, ut meritis eorum consideratis pro fortuna singulorum sententia proferatur. < s. die et consule.>
Concerning these, moreover, who, being involved in capital cases, shall have appealed (whom, however—both they themselves and those who will lodge a provocation on their behalf—it will be fitting to appeal only after the whole case has been heard and examined and after sentence has been pronounced), we ordain that this is to be observed: that, for lack of a suitable surety, the defendants being kept in custody, the judges shall transmit their opinions, with an exemplar issued to the appellants, and the refutations against them, to the scrinia of those whom it concerns, whereby the credit of the things done may be laid open by a manifest report, so that, their merits considered, a sentence may be delivered according to the condition of each individual. < s. die et consule.>
Sin autem in iudicio propriam causam quis fuerit persecutus atque superatus voluerit provocare, eodem die vel altero libellos appellatorios offerre debebit. is vero, qui negotium tuetur alienum, supra dicta condicione etiam tertio die provocabit. < s. die et consule.>
But if, in judgment, someone has pursued his own cause and, having been overcome, should wish to appeal, he ought to submit appellatory libelli on the same day or the next. But he who is guarding another’s business will, under the condition stated above, appeal even on the third day. < s. die et consule.>
Qui ad civilia munera vel decurionatum vel honores devocantur, licet vacationem a principibus acceperint, si appellationis auxilio non utantur, consensu suo nominationem confirmant. cum igitur ad munus vocatus appellaveris a praeside provinciae, iuste te appellasse ostende. * diocl.
Those who are called to civil duties, whether to the decurionate or to honors, although they have received exemption from the princes, if they do not use the aid of appeal, by their own consent confirm the nomination. Therefore, when, having been called to the duty, you have appealed from the governor of the province, show that you have appealed justly. * diocl.
Si contra maiorem quinque et viginti annis sententia lata provocationis secutae tempore praefinito causas non esse repraesentatas nec appellatione pendente transactione finitum negotium rector animadverterit, res iudicatas exsequi curabit. * diocl. et maxim.
If, against a person over twenty-five years of age, a sentence has been pronounced, and the governor observes that, within the pre-fixed time for the pursued appeal, the cases have not been presented, nor, with the appeal pending, has the business been finished by a transaction, he shall take care to execute the res judicata. * diocl. and maxim.
Minime fas est, ut in civili negotio libellis appellatoriis oblatis aut carceris cruciatus aut cuiuslibet iniuriae genus seu tormenta vel etiam contumelias perferat appellator, absque his criminalibus causis, in quibus, etiamsi possunt provocare, eum tamen statum debent obtinere, ut post provocationem in custodia, si fideiussoris idonei copiam non habeant, perseverent. * const. a. ad catullinum.
It is by no means lawful that, in a civil matter, when appellatory petitions have been submitted, the appellant should endure either the torments of prison or any kind of injury—whether tortures or even contumelies—except in those criminal causes, in which, even if they are able to appeal, nevertheless they ought to maintain this condition: that after the appeal they remain in custody, if they do not have the availability of a suitable surety. * constitution of the augustus to Catullinus.
Ex illo tempore, quo in civilibus causis, quae inter privatos moventur, consultaturum vel relaturum te esse promiseris vel appellationis a te interpositae sollemnia completa fuerint, nihil posthac tibi quodlibet speciale ac requisitum vel quibuscumque modis favoris gratiam praeferens audiendum est, sed observandum, ut iuxta priora statuta sollemnitatis more expleto gesta ad comitatum omnia dirigantur. * const. a. petronio probiano suo salutem.
From that time at which, in civil causes which are moved between private persons, you shall have promised that you will consult or report, or the solemnities of an appeal interposed by you shall have been completed, thereafter nothing that presents any special petition or request, or that by whatever means puts forward a plea of favor, is to be entertained by you; rather it must be observed that, in accordance with prior statutes, once the formalities have been completed in the customary manner, all the records be sent to the comitatus (imperial court). * Constantine Augustus to his Petronius Probianus, greetings.
Ne causas, quae in nostram venerint scientiam, rursus transferri ad iudicia necesse sit, instructiones necessarias plene actis inseri praecipimus. nam cogimur a proferenda sententia temperare, quoniam verendum est, ne lis incognito negotio dirimatur, adempta copia conquerendi. quare perennibus inuretur iudex notis, si cuncta, quae litigatores instructionis probationisque causa recitaverint, indita actis vel subiecta non potuerint inveniri.
Lest it be necessary that cases which have come to our knowledge be transferred again to the courts, we command that the necessary instructions be fully inserted into the acts. For we are compelled to refrain from pronouncing sentence, since it is to be feared lest a lawsuit be decided with the matter unknown, the opportunity for complaint having been taken away. Wherefore the judge will be branded with indelible marks, if all the things which the litigants have recited for the sake of instruction and proof cannot be found as having been inserted into the acts or subjoined to them.
Quoniam nonnulli fisci debitores, cum iussi fuerint debitam summam exsolvere, interposito provocationis auxilio vim exsecutionis eludunt nec iam opinionis exemplum nec refutatorias preces curant petere vel offerre, placuit, ut, si intra dies sollemnitatibus praestitutos ad facienda haec appellatoris cura defuerit, deserta ab eo provocatio aestimetur moxque debitum exigatur. * constant. a. victori rationali urb.
Since certain debtors of the fisc, when they have been ordered to pay the owed sum, by interposing the aid of an appeal elude the force of execution, and now no longer care to seek a copy of the opinion nor to seek or to offer refutatory petitions, it has pleased that, if within the days prescribed by the solemnities the appellant’s diligence is lacking to do these things, the appeal be deemed abandoned by him and the debt be exacted at once. * Constantine Augustus to Victor, rationalis of the City.
A proconsulibus et comitibus et his qui vice praefectorum cognoscunt, sive ex appellatione sive ex delegato sive ex ordine iudicaverint, provocari permittimus, ita ut appellanti iudex praebeat opinionis exemplum et acta cum refutatoriis partium suisque litteris ad nos dirigat. a praefectis autem praetorio provocare non sinimus. * const.
From proconsuls and counts and those who, in the stead of the praefects, conduct cognition, whether they shall have judged from an appeal, or by delegation, or in the ordinary course, we permit an appeal to be taken, on condition that the judge provide to the appellant a copy of the opinion and direct the records, together with the refutations of the parties and his own letter, to us. But from the Praetorian Prefects we do not allow an appeal. * const.
Quod si victus oblatam nec receptam ab iudice appellationem adfirmet, praefectos adeat, ut apud eos de integro litiget tamquam appellatione suscepta. superatus enim si iniuste appellare videbitur, lite perdita notatus abscedet: aut si vicerit, contra eum iudicem, qui appellationem non receperit, ad nos referre necesse est, ut digno supplicio puniatur. <a 331 d. k. aug.
But if the defeated party affirms that an appellation offered was not received by the judge, let him approach the prefects, so that before them he may litigate afresh as though an appellation had been undertaken. For if, being overcome, he shall seem to have appellated unjustly, he will withdraw branded with the loss of the suit; or if he shall have prevailed, it is necessary to refer to us against that judge who did not receive the appellation, so that he may be punished with a fitting penalty. <a 331, on the Kalends of August.
Quoniam iudices ordinarii provocationes aestimant respuendas, placet, ut, si quis appellationem suscipere recusaverit, quae non contra exsecutionem, sed adversus sententiam iurgium terminantem fuerit interposita, triginta auri pondo cogatur largitionibus nostris inferre: triginta alia officio eius itidem soluturo, nisi ei pertinaciter restiterit atque actis contradixerit et, quid iure sit constitutum, ostenderit. * constantius a. ad lollianum pp. * <a 355 d. viii k. aug. messadensi.
Since ordinary judges deem appeals to be rejected, it is our pleasure that, if anyone shall have refused to entertain an appeal which has been interposed not against execution but against the sentence terminating the litigation, he be compelled to pay into our largesses thirty pounds of gold: another thirty his office shall likewise pay, unless it has stubbornly opposed him and entered a contradiction in the record and shown what has been established by law. * Constantius Augustus to Lollianus, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 355, on the 8th day before the Kalends of August [July 25], at Messadensis.>
Lata sententia, quae pertinet ad bona vacantia et ad ea, quae indignis legibus cogentibus auferuntur, si quis putaverit provocandum, vox eius debebit admitti. * constantius a. ad volusianum pp. * <a 355 d. iii k. aug. arbitione et lolliano conss.>
The judgment delivered, which pertains to vacant goods and to those things which, by compelling laws, are taken away from the unworthy—if anyone thinks an appeal should be made, his voice ought to be admitted. * Constantius Augustus to Volusianus, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 355 d. 3 k. Aug. under the consulship of Arbition and Lollianus.>
Iudicibus non solum appellationis suspiciendae necessitas videtur imposita, verum etiam triginta dierum spatia ex die sententiae definita sunt, intra quae gesta una cum relatione litigatoribus convenit praestari: iudice et officio eius, si statuta fuerint aliqua parte mutilata, multae subiacentibus. * valentin. et valens aa. s. d. ord.
Not only does there appear to have been imposed upon judges the necessity of taking up an appeal, but periods of thirty days from the day of the sentence have also been defined, within which it is proper that the records together with the report be furnished to the litigants: the judge and his office, if the prescribed documents shall have been mutilated in any part, being subject to a fine. * Valentinian and Valens, the Augusti. s. d. ord.
Cum post sententiam discussoris vel rationalis fuerit provocatum, ad sinceritatem tuam negotium transferatur, ut, si mediocritas negotii aut longinquitas regionis ad iudicium tuum litigatores venire non patitur, iudicio rectoris provinciae, quem ipse probaveris, negotium deleges. * grat. valentin.
When, after the sentence of a discussor or a rationalis, an appeal has been taken, let the matter be transferred to Your Sincerity, so that, if the modest scope of the matter or the remoteness of the region does not allow the litigants to come to your tribunal, you may delegate the case to the judgment of the provincial governor, whom you yourself shall have approved. * grat. valentin.
Quibus in causa criminali humanitatis consideratione, si tempora suffragantur, interponendae provocationis copiam non negamus, ut ibi diligentius examinetur, ubi contra hominis salutem per errorem vel gratia cognitoris oppressa putatur esse iustitia: ea condicione, ut, si proconsules vel omnes orientis, augustalis, vicarii fuerint cognitores, non tam ad clementiam nostram quam ad amplissimas potestates sciant esse referendum. eorum enim de his plenum volumus esse iudicium , qui, si ita res est et crimen exegerit, rectius possint punire damnatos. <a 398 d. vi k. aug.
to whom, in a criminal case, out of a consideration of humanity, if the times lend their support, we do not deny the opportunity of interposing an appeal, so that it may be examined more diligently there where justice is thought to have been oppressed against a man’s safety by the error or favor of the cognitor (judge): on this condition, that, if proconsuls or all of the East, the Augustalis, the vicars shall have been the cognitores, they should know that it is to be referred not so much to our clemency as to the most ample powers. for we wish there to be a full judgment concerning these matters by those who, if that is the case and the crime shall have required it, may more rightly be able to punish the condemned. <a 398 d. vi k. aug.
Si quis provocatione interposita suspecti iudicis velit prolatam evitare sententiam, in hac voce liberam habeat potestatem nec timeat contumeliam iudiciorum, cum et ab ipsa iniuria possit facile provocare, maxime cum a solo tantum praefecto praetorio non sine dispendio causae provocare permissum sit. sciant igitur cuncti sibi ab iniuriis et suspectis iudicibus et in capitali supplicio ac fortunarum dispendio provocationem esse concessam. * arcad.
If anyone, by an interposed appeal, should wish to avoid a sentence pronounced by a suspect judge, let him have free power under this head and not fear an affront to the courts, since he can also easily appeal from the very injury itself—especially as it has been permitted to appeal only to the Praetorian Prefect, and that not without prejudice to the case. Let all therefore know that an appeal has been granted to them from injuries and suspect judges, and in the case of capital punishment and loss of fortunes. * arcad.
Si appellationem oblatam, in qua vel tuae amplitudinis vel urbanae praefecturae sacrum auditorium postulatur, iudex non susceperit vel suscepta appellatione apostulorum copiam denegaverit, ad deponendam super hac iniquitate querimoniam nec non etiam conveniendum adversarium ex sententia prolata iuxta antiquuum ius anni metas habeat litigator: vel si huiusmodi appellatio suscepta non fuerit, in qua inferiorum iudicum sacra desideratur auditio, ad haec eadem facienda sex menses habeat litigator. * honor. et theodos.
If an appeal has been tendered, in which either the sacred audience of your amplitude or of the Urban Prefecture is requested, and the judge does not receive it, or, the appeal having been received, has denied the issuance of the apostoli, then for lodging a complaint about this iniquity, and also for convening the adversary on the sentence pronounced, let the litigant have the bounds of a year according to ancient law: or, if an appeal of this sort has not been received, in which the sacred hearing of the inferior judges is desired, let the litigant have six months to do these same things. * honorius and theodosius.
Si vero arbiter appellationem suscipere aut relationem dare contempserit, quattuor mensum tempora observentur: ut his quae statuimus actitatis pareat appellator temporibus, quae de appellationibus definita noscuntur. <a 423 d. iii k. april. constantinopoli asclepiodoto et mariniano conss.>
But if indeed the arbiter should disdain to accept the appeal or to give a report, a period of four months shall be observed: so that the appellant may comply with the times of proceeding which we have established, which are known to have been defined concerning appeals. <a 423, on the 3rd day before the Kalends of April [March 30], at Constantinople, in the consulship of Asclepiodotus and Marinianus.>
Praecipimus ex appellationibus spectabilium iudicum, quae per consultationes nostri numinis disceptationem implorant, non nostram ulterius audientiam expectari , ne nostris occupationibus, quibus pro utilitate mundi a singulorum nonnumquam negotiis avocamur, aliena fraudari commoda videantur. * theodos. et valentin.
We command that, from the appeals of judges of Spectabilis rank, which through consultations of our divinity implore adjudication, our further audience is not to be awaited , lest by our occupations, by which for the utility of the world we are sometimes called away from the business of individuals, others' advantages seem to be defrauded. * theodos. et valentin.
Sed si a proconsulibus vel augustali vel comite orientis vel vicariis fuerit appellatum, virum illustrem praefectum praetorio, qui in nostro est comitatu, virum etiam illustrem quaestorem nostri palatii sacris iudiciis praesidentes disceptationem iubemus adripere eo ordine, ea observatione, isdem temporibus, quibus ceterae quoque lites fatali die post appellationem in sacris auditoriis terminantur. et hoc, licet quidam praedictorum spectabilium iudicum iure concesso ut sacri iudices appellationes acceperint. < >
but if appeal shall have been taken from proconsuls or the Augustalis or the Count of the East or the vicars, we order the illustrious man, the praetorian prefect, who is in our retinue, and likewise the illustrious man, the quaestor of our palace, presiding over the sacred judgments, to take up the dispute, in that order, with that observance, at the same times at which the other suits also, on the appointed day after the appeal, are concluded in the sacred auditoria. and this, although certain of the aforesaid judges of spectable rank, by a right granted, have received appeals as sacred judges. < >
In his autem omnibus iudiciis, quae consultationum introduximus loco, vel apostolos vel ea quae apud eum gesta sunt, contra cuius sententiam dicitur appellatum , suscipere ab appellatoribus et cognitiones inducere apud viros illustres praedictos iudices et ea quae geruntur excipere scribere scriptaque litigatoribus edere nostros epistulares praecipimus: officiis videlicet eorum, cum quibus vir illustris quaestor iudicat, exsequentibus iudicata. < >
In all these judgments, which we have introduced in place of consultations, we order our epistolary officials to receive from the appellants either the apostoli or the things which were done before him, against whose sentence it is said an appeal has been taken , and to introduce the hearings before the aforesaid illustrious men, the judges, and to take down the things that are transacted, to write them, and to issue the writings to the litigants: namely with the offices of those with whom the illustrious man, the quaestor, judges, executing the judgments. < >
Huic saluberrimae legi illud etiam consultissimae credidimus inserendum, ut, si privato, non illustri, uni pluribusve, ut adsolet, nostra serenitas adita delegaverit causam et eius eorumve definitio fuerit appellatione suspensa, vir quidem magnificus praefectus praetorio, qui in nostro est comitatu, cum viro illustri quaestore temporali iudicet die. < >
Into this most salutary—and most well-advised—law we have believed that the following too should be inserted: that, if, to a private person, not illustrious, to one or to several, as is customary, upon application to our Serenity a case shall have been delegated, and the determination of him or of them shall have been suspended by an appeal, then the man of magnificent rank, the Praetorian Prefect, who is in our court, shall judge together with the illustrious man, the Quaestor, on an appointed day. < >
Nostri vero libellenses quae apud arbitros gesta sunt suscipiant, cognitiones inducant et ea quae geruntur excipiant scribant scriptaque litigatoribus edant: qui etiam apud arbitros, licet illustres sint, ex delegatione nostra cognoscentes excipiunt, si in sacratissimo nostri numinis comitatu causae dicantur. < >
But let our libellenses take up what has been transacted before arbiters, introduce the cognitions, and take down the things that are being done, write them up, and issue the writings to the litigants: they also, before arbiters—though they be Illustrious—record those who, by our delegation, are hearing cases, if the causes are pleaded in the most sacred comitatus of our divine majesty. < >
Sane si illustrium ac magnificorum iudicum sententiae fuerint appellatione suspensae, eorum videlicet, quorum sententias licet appellatione suspendi, per consultationem nostram volumus audientiam expectari, licet antea privato homini, id est non illustri, lite a nobis delegata is postea tempore definitionis illustri decoratus dignitate reperiatur: eodem observando et si alter ei coniunctus sit arbiter, qui non illustrem meruit dignitatem. < >
Indeed, if the sentences of illustrious and magnificent judges have been suspended by appeal—namely, of those whose sentences it is permitted to be suspended by appeal—we wish the hearing to await our consultation, even if, when the suit was earlier delegated by us to a private man, that is, a non-illustrious person, he is afterwards, at the time of the decision, found adorned with the illustrious dignity: the same is to be observed even if another arbiter has been joined to him who has not merited the illustrious dignity. < >
Eo casu, quo apparitor magisteriae potestatis a curia vel officio cohortali de statu in provincia patiatur controversiam vel ut tributa vel functiones debens in provincia detinetur, si sententia rectoris provinciae fuerit appellatione suspensa, cum tua sublimitate viro quoque magnifico magistro militum cognoscente causae iubemus merita ponerari, licet magister militum rectori provinciae causam delegaverit perorandam. * theodos. et valentin.
In that case in which an apparitor of the magisterial authority, by the curia or the cohortal office, suffers a controversy about status in the province, or is detained in the province as one owing tributes or “functions,” if the sentence of the rector of the province has been suspended by an appeal, with Your Sublimity and likewise the magnificent man, the Master of the Soldiers, taking cognizance of the case, we order the merits to be weighed, although the Master of the Soldiers may have delegated to the rector of the province the case to be fully pleaded. * Theodosius and Valentinian.
Iubemus, si qua suggestio maioris vel minoris iudicis ad nostram referatur clementiam de negotio, quod iudicandum ei tradidimus vel de quo pro sua iurisdictione iudicaverit, petentis a nostro numine finem eidem imponi negotio, quod ab eo disceptatum est, sive additum sit eidem suggestioni, quid referenti placeat ( dum id partibus per sententiae recitationem manifestum non fecit) sive nihil huiusmodi adiectum sit, sed simpliciter nostri numinis responsum expectat, non prius eam discerni, quam per sacram pragmaticam nostri numinis iussionem duo magnifici viri vel patricii vel consulares vel praefectorii, quos pro tempore nos elegerimus, iubeantur adiungi viro illustri pro tempore quaestori nostri palatii et una cum eo in scriptis relationem discernere ( sive praesentibus partibus, si hoc prospexerint, sive absentibus) et responsum relationi dandum sua sententia manifestare: ut tamen dispositio huiusmodi excellentissimorum iudicum omnimodo rata sit, nulli danda licentia provocationem contra eorum offerre sententiam vel aliam quamcumque dubitationem introducere. * iustinus a. demostheni pp. * <a 520 - 524 >
We order that if any suggestion of a greater or lesser judge is referred to our clemency concerning a matter which we have handed over to him to be judged or concerning which he has judged by his own jurisdiction, seeking from our numen that an end be imposed upon the same matter which has been disputed by him, whether there has been added to the same suggestion what is pleasing to the one reporting (provided he has not made this manifest to the parties through the recitation of the sentence) or nothing of this sort has been added, but he simply awaits the response of our numen, it is not to be decided before, by a sacred pragmatic of our numen’s command, two magnificent men—either patricians or consulars or of praefectorial rank—whom we shall have chosen for the time, are ordered to be joined to the illustrious man who is for the time quaestor of our palace, and together with him to decide the relation in writings (whether with the parties present, if they have foreseen this, or absent) and to make manifest by their own sentence the response to be given to the relation: so, however, that the disposition of such most excellent judges be in every way ratified, with no license to be given to anyone to offer an appeal against their sentence or to introduce any other doubt whatsoever. * justin a. to demosthenes, p.p. * <a 520 - 524 >
Quam observationem non solum, si unus iudex suggestione vel relatione usus fuerit, tenere censemus, sed etiam si duobus vel amplioribus datis iudicibus in unam sententiam minime omnes convenerint, sed diversas suas sententias unusquisque nostrae mansuetudini rettulerit vel omnes nos consuluerint, quid decernendum sit. <a 520 - 524 >
We deem this observance to be maintained not only if a single judge has made use of a suggestion or a report, but also if, two or more judges having been assigned, by no means all have agreed into one sentence, but each has reported his diverse sentence to our mildness, or all have consulted us as to what is to be decreed. <a 520 - 524 >
In offerendis provocationibus, ex quibus consultationum more negotium in nostrum sacrum palatium introduci solebat, hoc addendum esse censemus, ut, si quidem non excedat litis aestimatio decem librarum auri quantitatem, ex ipsa scilicet sententia iudicis discernenda, non duobus, sicut antea, magnificis iudicibus, sed uni tantummodo disceptatio negotii deputetur. * iust. a. menae pp. * <a 529 d. viii id. april.
In presenting appeals, from which, according to the custom of consultations, the business used to be introduced into our sacred palace, we judge that this must be added: that, if indeed the valuation of the suit does not exceed the amount of ten pounds of gold—namely to be discerned from the judge’s very sentence—the dispute of the matter is to be assigned not to two, as before, magnificent judges, but to only one. * justinian augustus to mena, praetorian prefect. * <a 529 d. 8 id. april.
Sin vero memoratam excedens quantitatem viginti libris auri terminetur, duobus tradatur magnificis iudicibus, viris scilicet devotis epistularibus cognitionalia certamina excipientibus, ita tamen ut, si dissentirent, virum illustrem pro tempore quaestorem adhibeant, ut eo dubietatem dirimente finiatur negotium: <a 529 d. viii id. april. constantinopoli decio cons.>
But if, indeed, the amount exceeding the aforesaid be bounded at twenty pounds of gold, let it be handed over to two Magnificent judges, namely to devoted epistularii who take up cognitional contests; yet in such wise that, if they should disagree, they bring in, for the time being, the Illustrious man, the Quaestor, so that, with him resolving the doubt, the matter may be concluded: <a 529 on the 8th day before the Ides of April, at Constantinople, in the consulship of Decius.>
Ut tamen secundum iam statuta liceat quidem non solum victo, sed etiam victori consultationem ad unum vel duos iudices mittendam intra bienni tempus ei vel eis intimare: post excessum enim memorati temporis huiusmodi licentiam amputamus. <a 529 d. viii id. april. constantinopoli decio cons.>
Yet, according to what has already been statuted, let it be permitted indeed not only to the vanquished but also to the victor to intimate, within the time of a two-year period (biennium), to him or to them a consultation to be sent to one or two judges: for after the elapse of the aforesaid time we amputate (cut off) such license. <a 529, on the 8th day before the ides of april, at constantinople, in the consulship of decius.>
Si quando duciano iudicio appellatio fuerit oblata, sive ab ipsa qualitate iudicis sive ex divina delegatione viro spectabili duci destinata, sive inter spectabiles idem dux connummeretur sive illustri dignitate decoratur sive etiam maiore, cum etiam magisteriae potestatis homines nec non consulares saepe utilitate publica poscente ad huiusmodi curam perveniunt, nullo discrimine habito non dignitatem, sed ducatus magistratum spectari et appellationem ex quocumque duce venientem non ut antea erat dispositum, sed apud virum sublimissimum magistrum officiorum nec non virum excellentissimum nostri palatii quaestorem communi audientia praeposita in sacro auditorio more consultationem, viris devotis epistularibus excipientibus, ventilari: nulla veteris legis in hac causa observatione custodienda, sed apud eosdem tantummodo excellentissimos iudices causa trutinanda. * iust. a. demostheni pp. * <a 529 >
Whenever an appeal has been presented from a ducal judgment—whether the case was assigned to a man of spectabilis rank, a dux, by the very quality of the judge or by sacred (divine) delegation; whether that same dux is counted among the Spectabiles or is adorned with Illustrious rank or even higher, since even men of magisterial power and likewise Consulars, when public utility so demands, often come to a charge of this kind—no distinction being made, it is not the dignity but the magistracy of the duchy that is to be regarded; and an appeal coming from any dux is to be aired, not as was arranged before, but before the most sublime Master of the Offices and also the most excellent Quaestor of our palace, a common hearing having been appointed in the Sacred Auditorium, after the manner of a consultation, with the devoted epistulares taking notes. No observance of the old law is to be maintained in this matter, but the case is to be weighed only before those same most excellent judges. * Justinian Augustus to Demosthenes, Praetorian Prefect * <a 529 >
Ampliorem providentiam subiectis conferentes, quam forsitan ipsi vigilantes non inveniunt, antiquam observationem emendamus, cum in appellationum auditoriis in solus post sententiam iudicis emendationem meruerat, qui ad provocationis convolasset auxilium, altera parte, quae hoc non fecisset, sententiam sequi, qualiscumque fuisset, compellenda. * iust. a. iuliano pp. * <a 530 d. vi k. april.
Bestowing a more ample providence upon our subjects, which perhaps they themselves, though vigilant, do not find, we amend the ancient observance, since in the auditoria of appeals after the judge’s sentence only he had deserved an emendation who had hurried to the aid of an appeal, the other party, which had not done this, being compelled to follow the sentence, whatever it might have been. * iust. a. iuliano pp. * <a 530 d. 6 k. april.
Sancimus itaque, si appellator semel in iudicium venerit et causas appellationis suae proposuerit, habere licentiam et adversarium eius, si quid iudicatis opponere maluerit, si praesto fuerit, hoc facere et iudiciale mereri praesidium: sin autem absens fuerit, nihilo minus iudicem per suum vigorem eius partes adimplere. <a 530 d. vi k. april. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
We ordain therefore that, if the appellant has once come into court and has set forth the grounds of his appeal, there shall be license also for his adversary—if he should prefer to oppose anything adjudicated, if he is present—to do this and to merit judicial protection; but if he is absent, nonetheless let the judge, by his own vigor, fulfill his part. <in the year 530, on the 6th day before the Kalends of April, at Constantinople, under Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, consuls.>
( 1) in refutatoriis autem libellis, qui solent maxime in sacro auditorio prudentissimorum nostrorum procerum recitari, caveant tam litigatores quam libellorum dictatores verbosis uti adsertionibus et ea quae iam perorata sunt iterum resuscitare, sed haec sola eis inscribere, quae compendiosa narratione causas provocationis possunt explanare vel aliquid novi continent vel addere quod derelictum est: scituri, quod si hoc fuerit praetermissum, non deerit adversus libellorum conditores amplissimi iudicii competens indignatio, quod sufficiant gestorum volumina introducta et virorum spectabilium magistrorum scriniorum breves omnia apertissime ostendere. <a 530 d. vi k. april. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
( 1) In rebuttal briefs, which are especially wont to be read in the sacred auditorium of our most prudent grandees, let both litigants and the drafters of briefs beware of using verbose assertions and of reviving again things already fully pleaded, but let them inscribe upon them only those matters which, by a compendious narration, can explain the causes of the appeal, or contain something new, or add what was left out: knowing that, if this is omitted, there will not be lacking, against the authors of the briefs, the fitting indignation of the most ample court, since the introduced volumes of the records and the abstracts of the men of distinction, the masters of the bureaus, suffice to show everything most plainly. <given at Constantinople on March 27, 530, in the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men.>
Sed cum scimus legem nostram esse promulgatam, per quam more consultationum in causis quidem, quae usque ad decem libras auri extenduntur, unum iudicem sanximus superponi, viginti autem duos sublimissimos iudices, sed cum prima quidem facie lis videbatur non tantam summam excedere, in definitiva autem sententia apparebat iudici vel iudicibus etiam maiorem quantitatem debere imponere, non erat eis possibile formam qua erant conclusi excedere. <a 530 d. vi k. april. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
But since we know that our law was promulgated, by which, according to the manner of consultations, in causes indeed which extend up to 10 pounds of gold we sanctioned that one judge be set over them, but for greater sums that 22 most exalted judges [be set over them]; yet when at first sight the suit seemed not to exceed so great an amount, but in the definitive sentence it appeared that the judge or judges ought to impose an even greater quantity, it was not possible for them to exceed the form by which they were confined. <a 530 on the 6th day before the Kalends of April, at Constantinople, Lampadius and Orestes, most illustrious men, consuls.>
Sed nos definimus et omnem eis damus facultatem, si hoc ita fuerit subsecutum, licere eis et ampliorem summam praefata quantitate in qua dati sunt iudices excedere, et non ad modum suae rationis, sed ad veritatis indaginem ferre sententiam, ne tanti iudices quasi vinculis praepediti non possint legum veritati et iudiciali vigori per omnia satisfacere. <a 530 d. vi k. april. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
But we determine and grant them full faculty, if this has so ensued, that it be permitted to them even to exceed an amount greater than the aforesaid quantity with respect to which the judges were appointed, and to bear a sentence not according to the mode of their own ration (reckoning), but according to the inquisition of truth, lest judges of such rank, as if hampered by chains, be unable in all respects to satisfy the truth of the laws and the judicial vigor. <a 530 d. 6 k. april. constantinopoli lampadio et oreste vv. cc. conss.>
Si quis per absentiam nominatus vel ad duumviratus aliorumque honorum infulas vel munus aliquod evocatus ad provocationis auxilium cucurrerit, ex eo die interponendae appellationis duorum mensum tempora ei computanda sunt, ex quo contra se celebratam nominationem didicisse monstraverit. nam praesenti, qui factam nominationem cognovit et appellare voluerit, statim debet duorum mensum spatium computari. * const.
If anyone, having been nominated in his absence, or summoned to the infulae (insignia) of the duumvirate and of other honors, or to some munus (public duty), has resorted to the aid of an appeal, from that day the periods of two months for interposing an appeal are to be computed for him, from the day on which he shows that he learned a nomination had been conducted against himself. For one who is present, who knew that the nomination was made and wishes to appeal, the span of two months ought to be computed immediately. * const.
Tempora fatalium dierum pro saeculi nostri beatitudine credidimus emendanda ubique dilationum materias amputantes. et primi quidem fatalis diei tempora post appellationem, sive a viro clarissimo rectore provinciae sive a spectabili iudice fuerit appellatum, sex mensuum esse iubemus. * theodos.
We have believed that the periods of the “fatal” days ought to be amended for the blessedness of our age, cutting off everywhere the grounds of dilations (delays). And we order that the time of the first “fatal day” after an appeal—whether the appeal has been taken from a most illustrious man, rector of a province, or from a judge of spectabilis rank—be six months. * Theodosius.
Quod si primo fatali die lapsus est appellator, tricesimum primum diem alterum volumus esse fatalem. quod si eo quoque appellator exciderit, tertium similiter totidem diebus intermissis fatalem observari decernimus. quod si tertius quoque lapsus fuerit temporalis, quartum etiam fatalem post tricesimum primum diem similiter observari decernimus.
But if on the first fatal day the appellant has slipped, we will that the thirty-first day be the second fatal day. And if on that too the appellant should fail, we decree that a third fatal day, likewise, be observed with the same number of days interposed. And if the third also has been a temporal lapse, we decree that a fourth fatal day also, likewise, be observed after the thirty-first day.
Quod si ita contigerit, ut quattuor fatalibus diebus qui appellavit exciderit, tunc intra trium alium mensuum spatium a nostro numine reparationem peti praecipimus: qua petita nec adversarium decernimus admoneri nec temporalem diem a petitione reparationis numerari, sed trium mensum spatio ex quarto, fatali numerando causam induci praecipimus, licet ante unum diem reparatio fuerit impetrata, licet adlegata in iudicio virorum illustrium praefectorum non fuerit. <a 440 d. xii k. iun. valentiniano a. v et anatolio conss.>
But if it thus happens that he who appealed has missed the four fatal days, then we order that within the span of three other months reparation be sought from our majesty: when this has been sought, we decree neither that the adversary be admonished nor that a temporal day be counted from the petition for reparation, but we order the case to be adjourned for the space of three months, with the fatal day to be counted from the fourth, even if reparation has been obtained one day earlier, even if it has not been alleged in the court of the illustrious men the prefects. <a 440, on the 12th day before the Kalends of June, Valentinian in his 5th consulship and Anatolius, consuls.>
( 1) quod si arbitro in provincia ex delegatione sacra disceptante appellatio subsequatur, post priorem fatalem lapsum tres alii tantum fatales dies similiter ut supra dictum est servabuntur, nulla reparatione a nostro numine postulanda, ita ut nonaginta tribus diebus elapsis iudicata congruae exsecutioni mandentur. <a 440 d. xii k. iun. valentiniano a. v et anatolio conss.>
( 1) but if, with an arbiter in the province adjudicating by sacred delegation, an appeal should ensue, after the earlier fatal lapse only three other fatal days, as likewise has been said above, shall be observed, with no restoration to be requested from our divinity, so that, once ninety-three days have elapsed, the judgments shall be committed to appropriate execution. <in the year 440, on the 12th day before the Kalends of June, Valentinian, consul for the 5th time, and Anatolius, consuls.>
Sin autem ex sententia praetorianae praefecturae vel magistri officiorum vel alio illustri dignitate decorato arbiter in hac sacratissima civitate fuerit delegatus et appellatio contra definitionem vel sententiam eius subsecuta fuerit, primus quidem fatalis dies duorum mesum, alii vero tres ad similitudinem supra dictorum fatalium numerentur. <a 440 d. xii k. iun. valentiniano a. v et anatolio conss.>
But if, by the decision of the Praetorian Prefecture or of the Master of the Offices or of another adorned with illustrious rank, an arbiter has been delegated in this most sacred city and an appeal has followed against his definition or sentence, the first fatal day shall be of two months, while the other three are to be counted in likeness to the above-mentioned fatal days. <a 440 d. 12 k. jun. Valentinian, consul for the 5th time, and Anatolius, consuls.>
Qui vero delegatum vel a spectabili iudice seu praeside provinciae arbitrum appellaverit, primum quidem fatalem diem duorum mensum, tres vero alios ad similitudinem praedictorum fatalium dierum habeat. <a 440 d. xii k. iun. valentiniano a. v et anatolio conss.>
But whoever shall appeal a delegate or an arbitrator appointed by a spectabilis judge or by the provincial praeses, let him have, as the first peremptory day, that of 2 months, and three others likewise in the likeness of the aforesaid peremptory days. <a 440 d. 12 k. iun. valentiniano a. 5 et anatolio, consuls.>
( 2) illud etiam circa observationem fatalium dierum custodiri decernimus, ut, si forte temporales in feriatos quoquo modo inciderint, praecendentes eos dies ut temporales a litigantibus observentur. quod si quis secus, ac iura praecipiunt, lapsus die fuerit temporali et hoc primo loco vel a praesente adversario vel etiam a iudice, si solus litigat, appellatori fuerit oppositum probatumque, pro eo habebitur appellator, ac si sententiam quoquo modo non coactus susceperit. <a 440 d. xii k. iun.
( 2) We also decree that this be kept concerning the observance of fatal days: if perchance the temporal days should in any way fall on holidays, let the days preceding them be observed by the litigants as temporal. But if anyone, otherwise than the laws prescribe, has let a temporal day lapse, and this, in the first instance, has been objected to the appellant and proved either by the adversary who is present or even by the judge, if he is litigating alone, the appellant shall be held as though he had in some way accepted the sentence without compulsion. <a 440 d. xii k. iun.
Nemo arbitretur in posterum licentiam futuram consultationibus ultra statuti temporis vivendi spatia neque per oblationem precum neque per sacrum rescriptum super reparatione temporum indulgendum neque sub praetextu quodam altero: sed omnibus incumbendum esse vigilanti diligentia, quo provocationes eorum intra statutum tempus introducantur, ita ut etiam gesta in iudicio, contra quod provocatum est, non prope finem temporis tradantur scrinio sacrarum epistularum, ne praepediatur per astutias fatalis rei terminus, sed aut statim, postquam appellatum sit, aut non minus quam ante dimidiam partem temporis praebeantur scrinio, ne, quod per angustias contingit temporum, tardus appellationis fautor suo dispendio refutetur. * iustinus a. apioni pp. * <a 518 d. k. dec. constantinopoli magno cons.>
Let no one suppose for the future that there will be license for consultations beyond the spans of the prescribed time, nor that indulgence is to be granted either by the offering of supplications or by a sacred rescript concerning the restoration of terms, nor under any other pretext; rather, all must apply vigilant diligence, to the end that their appeals be introduced within the set time, in such wise that even the acts in the court from which the appeal has been taken are not delivered to the scrinium of the sacred letters near the end of the term, lest the fatal deadline of the matter be obstructed by cunning, but either immediately after the appeal has been made, or supplied to the scrinium not later than before the halfway point of the term, lest, as happens through the narrowness of times, the tardy supporter of an appeal be rejected to his own loss. * justin the emperor to apion, praetorian prefect. * <in the year 518, on the kalends of december, at constantinople, in the consulship of magnus.>
Per hanc divinam sanctionem decernimus, ut licentia quidem pateat in exercendis consultationibus tam appellatori quam adversae parti novis etiam adsertionibus utendi vel exceptionibus, quae non ad novum capitulum pertinent, sed ex illis oriuntur et illis coniunctae sunt, quae apud anteriorem iudicem noscuntur propositae. * iustinus a. tatiano mag. off.
By this divine sanction we decree that license shall indeed lie open, in carrying on the consultations, both to the appellant and to the opposing party to use even new assertions or exceptions, which do not pertain to a new chapter, but arise from and are joined to those which are known to have been proposed before the prior judge. * Justin the Augustus to Tatianus, master of offices.
Sed et si qua dicta quidem adlegatio monstrabitur vel instrumentum prolatum aliquod, probationes tamen illo quidem defuerunt tempore, verum apud sacros cognitores sine procrastinatione praeberi poterunt, id quoque eos admittere, quo exercitatis iam negotiis pleniore subveniatur veritatis lumine. <a 520 d. v k. iun. constantinopoli rusticio cons.>
But also, if any allegation indeed shall be shown or some document produced, yet the proofs were lacking at that time; but before the sacred judges they can be furnished without procrastination; let them admit this too, so that, the matters now already exercised being reviewed, aid may be afforded by a fuller light of truth. <a 520 five days before the Kalends of June, at Constantinople, in the consulship of Rusticius.>
Sancimus itaque, si quidem ab aegyptiaco vel libyco limite vel orientali tractu usque ad utrasque cilicias numerando vel armeniis et gentibus et omni illyrico causa fuerit more appellationum transmissa, primum semestre spatium in antiqua definitione permanere et a nihil penitus neque deminui neque adcrescere. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
We therefore sanction that, if indeed from the Egyptian or Libyan frontier or the eastern tract up to both Cilicias by reckoning, or from the Armenians and the nations and all Illyricum, a case has been transferred in the manner of appeals, the first six-month period shall remain in the ancient definition, and that nothing at all be either diminished from it or added to it. <a 529 on the 15th day before the Kalends of December, at Chalcedon, with Decius, a most distinguished man, as consul.>
Sin autem ex aliis nostri imperii partibus sive asianae sive ponticae sive thraciae dioeceseos lis provocatione suspensa in hanc regiam urbem perveniat, pro semestri spatio trium tantummodo mensum spatium eis indulgeri: aliis trium mensum spatiis, id est nonaginta tribus diebus simili modo sequentibus sive semestre tempus sive tres priores menses secundum locorum definitionem, quam designavimus. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
But if from other parts of our empire—whether of the Asiatic, the Pontic, or the Thracian diocese—a suit, stayed by an appeal, should come to this royal city, a period of only three months shall be granted to them instead of a half-year period: with other periods of three months, that is ninety‑three days, in like manner following thereafter, whether the half‑year time or the first three months, according to the definition of the localities which we have designated. <a 529 on the 15th day before the Kalends of December, at Chalcedon, in the consulship of the most renowned Decius.>
Sed et aliis tribus mensibus, qui ex reparatione ab aula concedi solent, in suo robore duraturis et prioribus accedentibus, ut partim annale numeretur, partim novem mensum spatium consequatur. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
But also the other three months, which are wont to be granted by way of reparation from the court, shall endure in their own force and be added to the earlier ones, so that partly an annual period is numbered, partly a space of nine months is obtained. <a 529 on the 15th day before the Kalends of December at Chalcedon, in the consulship of the most distinguished Decius.>
( 1) et cum antea in fine cuiusque temporis unus fatalis dies ex antiquis legibus constitutus est et saepe eveniebat ( cum multae sunt occasiones mortales appellationum) vel aegritudine vel spatii prolixitate vel per alias causas, quas nec dici nec enumerari facile sit, eundem diem fatalem non observari et lites expirare et huiusmodi luctuosis infelicitatibus patrimonia hominum titubare: propter hoc fortunae relevantes insidias sancimus non in unum diem fatalem standum esse in posterum, sed sive ante quartum diem fatalis luminis et ipsum fatalem sive post quinque dies, ex quo ortus fatalis effluxerit, appellator venerit et litem instituendam curaverit et eam in competens iudicium deduxerit, legi videri satisfactum, ne ingemiscat mortuae causae dispendium, sed nostro gaudeat beneficio, cum nobis cognitum sit etiam ex errore calculi dierum quem officium habuit saepe esse causas periclitatas: quod in posterum non fieri ex remedio legis pra esentis sperandum est. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
( 1) and whereas formerly at the end of each period a single fatal day was established by the ancient laws, and it often happened ( since there are many death‑dealing occasions of appellations) that either by sickness or by the prolixity of the span or by other causes, which can neither easily be stated nor enumerated, that same fatal day was not observed and suits expired, and by lamentable misfortunes of this sort the patrimonies of men tottered: on account of this, removing Fortune’s ambushes, we sanction that in the future one is not to stand upon a single fatal day, but that whether within the four days before the fatal day’s light and on the fatal day itself, or within five days after the fatal rising has elapsed, if the appellant shall come and shall take care that the suit be instituted and shall bring it into the competent court, it is to be seen that the law has been satisfied, lest one groan over the loss of a cause that has died, but rather rejoice in our benefice, since it has been known to us that even from an error in the calculation of days, which the office had, cases have often been imperilled: which it is to be hoped will not happen in the future by the remedy of the present law. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
In his autem casibus, in quibus biennium constitutum est, quatenus more consultationum in regia urbe sub communi audientia florentissimorum nostri palatii procerum ventilentur, biennii metas unius anni terminis coartamus, ut intra eum et gesta colligere et ea viris devotis epistularibus tradere et refutatorios libellos, si voluerint, offerre et litem in sacrum nostrum consistorium introducere cogantur: nulli licentia deneganda victrici parti, si voluerit, secundum quod iam constitutum est, et praemature causam inducere neque annali spatio expectato. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
In these cases, in which a biennium has been constituted, in order that, after the manner of consultations, they may be ventilated in the royal city under the common audience of the most flourishing nobles of our palace, we contract the bounds of the biennium to the limits of one year, so that within it they are compelled both to collect the acts and to deliver them to devoted epistolary men, and, if they wish, to offer refutatory briefs and to introduce the suit into our sacred consistorium: to the prevailing party no license is to be denied, if he should wish, according to what has already been constituted, both to bring the cause forward prematurely and not to wait for the annual span. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
Si tamen in sacro nostro consistorio lis exordium ceperit, etsi non fuerit in eodem die completa, tamen perpetuari eam concedimus, cum iniquum sit propter occupationes florentissimi ordinis, quas circa nostrae pietatis ministeria habere noscitur, causas hominum deperire. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
If, however, in our sacred Consistory the lawsuit takes its beginning, even if it has not been completed on the same day, nevertheless we grant that it be perpetuated, since it is iniquitous that, on account of the occupations of the most flourishing Order, which it is known to have around the ministries of our piety, the causes of men should perish. <a 529 on the 15th day before the Kalends of December, at Chalcedon, in the consulship of Decius, a most distinguished man.>
Illud etiam merito addendum huic legi censemus, ut si qui fatali die apud appellationis iudicem introductus, sive ex una parte sive cognitionaliter causae appellationis imponat exordium, deinde relicta ea discedat et in desidia reliquum tempus permaneat et annale tempus post inchoatam litem praeterierit, victore neque sententiam ad effectum perducere valente propter litem iam inchoatam neque iam terminum accipere inveniente, cum appellatoris absentia eam finiri non facile concedit, huiusmodi iniquitatem amputantes ( cum adversarius potest et minime praesente appellatore litem exercere, quia hoc speciale privilegium eius est, qui appellationi examinandae praesidet, posse ex una parte causam dirimere) iubemus eundem appellatorem, nisi observaverit iudicium et causam usque ad finem p eregerit, sed per eum steterit, quominus omnia litis certamina impleantur, appellatione defraudari et sententiam contra eum latam in suo robore durare et ad effectum perduci, tamquam si ab initio minime fuerit provocatum: nisi ipse appellator evidentissime probationibus possit ostendere se quidem summa ope nisum voluisse litem exercere, per iudicem autem stetisse vel aliam inexorabilem causam subsecutam, propter quam hoc facere minime valuit. tunc etenim aliud ei annale tempus indulgemus, quo effluente et lite minime finem accipiente cadere eum de appellatorio iuvamine disponimus, cum sit ei apertissima facultas et nostram adire maiestatem et tarditatem iudicis in querellam deducere et nostro beneficio perpotiri. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
We also deem that this ought deservedly to be added to this law: that if someone, on the fated day, having been introduced before the judge of the appeal, whether on one side only or in a cognitional manner, lays the exordium of the cause of the appeal, then leaves it and departs, and remains for the remaining time in idleness, and the annual time, after the suit has been initiated, has passed by, the victor—being neither able to lead the sentence through to effect because the suit has already been initiated, nor finding that he can now receive a terminus, since the absence of the appellant does not readily allow it to be finished—cutting off such iniquity ( since the adversary cannot prosecute the suit with the appellant by no means present, because this is the special privilege of him who presides over the examination of the appeal, to be able to decide the cause from one side), we order that the same appellant, unless he has observed the judgment and has carried the cause through to the end p eregerit, but it has stood by his fault that all the contests of the suit are not accomplished, be defrauded of the appeal, and that the sentence delivered against him remain in its own robustness and be led through to effect, as if from the beginning there had by no means been a provocation: unless the appellant himself can most evidently by proofs show that he indeed wished with utmost effort to exercise the suit, but that it stood by the judge, or some other inexorable cause supervened, on account of which he was by no means able to do this. For then we grant to him another annual time, upon the efflux of which, and the suit by no means receiving an end, we dispose that he fall from the appellate help, since he has the most open faculty both to approach our majesty and to bring the judge’s slowness into complaint and to enjoy our benefice. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
Cui consentaneum est, ut et in sententiis omnium amplissimorum praefectorum praetorio ex divino oraculo retractandis eadem observatio, quae supra dicta est, post ingressum unius vel utriusque partis tam propter absentiam personarum quam propter statuta tempora teneat. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
Accordingly, it is consistent that, in the judgments of all the most ample Praetorian Prefects to be reconsidered by a divine oracle, the same observance which was said above shall hold after the entry of one or of both parties, both on account of the absence of persons and on account of the appointed times. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
Sin autem partes inter se scriptura interveniente paciscendum esse crediderint nemini parti licere ad provocationis auxilium pervenire vel ullum fatalem observare, eorum pactionem firmam esse censemus. legum etenim austeritatem in hoc casu volumus pactis litigantium mitigari. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
But if, with a writing intervening between them, the parties shall have believed that there should be a pact, it shall be permitted to no party to come to the aid of appeal or to observe any fatal day; we judge their pact to be firm. For we wish the austerity of the laws in this case to be mitigated by the pacts of the litigants. <a 529 d.Xv k.Dec.Chalcedone decio vc. conss.>
Datam sententiam dicitis, quam ideo vires non habere contenditis, quod contra res prius iudicatas, a quibus provocatum non est, lata sit. cuius rei probationem si promptam habetis, et citra provocationis adminiculum quod ita pronuntiatum est sententiae auctoritatem non obtinebit. * alex.
You say that a judgment has been given, which you therefore contend does not have force, because it was delivered against matters previously adjudicated, from which no appeal was taken. If you have ready proof of this matter, then even without the aid of an appeal, that which was so pronounced will not obtain the authority of a judgment. * alex.
Si, cum inter te et aviam defuncti quaestio de successione esset, iudex datus a praeside provinciae pronuntiavit potuisse defunctum et minorem quattuordecim annis testamentum facere ac per hoc aviam potiorem esse, sententiam eius contra tam manifesti iuris formam datam nullas habere vires palam est et ideo in hac specie nec provocationis auxilium necessarium fuit. * alex. a. capitoni.
If, when there was a question about succession between you and the grandmother of the deceased, a judge appointed by the governor of the province pronounced that the deceased, though less than 14 years old, could make a testament, and that through this the grandmother had the better right, it is clear that his sentence, given contrary to so manifest a form of law, has no force; and therefore in this instance even the aid of an appeal was not necessary. * Alexander Augustus to Capito.
Si, ut proponis, suspensa apud amplissimos iudices cognitione provocationis, quam te ob id interposuisse dicis, quod decurio nominatus esses, ad duumviratum vocatus es, manifestum est praeiudicium futurae notioni memoratorum iudicum fieri non potuisse. * gord. a. ingenuo.
If, as you set forth, with the inquiry of the appeal suspended before the most distinguished judges—which you say you interposed for this reason, that you had been nominated a decurion—you were called to the duumvirate, it is manifest that no prejudgment could have been made upon the future inquiry of the aforesaid judges. * Gordian Augustus to Ingenuus.
Certa ratione et fine multare praesides possunt. quod si aliter et contra legis statutum modum provinciae praeses multam vobis inrogaverit, dubium non est id, quod contra ius gestum videtur, firmitatem non tenere et sine appellatione posse rescindi. * carus carinus et numer.
Governors can fine with a fixed rationale and limit. But if, otherwise and contrary to the statutory mode set by law, the governor of the province has imposed a fine upon you, there is no doubt that what appears to have been done against the law does not hold validity and can be rescinded without appeal. * carus carinus et numer.
Cum non eo die, quo praeses provinciae praecepit, iudex ab eodem datus pronuntiaverit, sed ductis diebus alieniore tempore sententiam dedisse proponatur, ne ambages frustra interpositae provocationis ulterius negotium protrahant, praeses provinciae superstitiosa appellatione submota ex integro inter vos cognoscet. * carus carinus et numer. aaa.
When, not on that day on which the provincial praeses ordered it, a judge appointed by the same has pronounced, but it is alleged that, the days having been drawn out, he delivered sentence at a less fitting time, lest the circumlocutions of an appeal interposed in vain should further protract the matter, the provincial praeses, the superstitious appeal removed, shall take cognizance of the case anew between you. * Carus, Carinus, and Numerian, Augusti.
Si pater tuus, cum decurio creareris, non consensit et quindecim annos aetatis agis, aditus praeses provinciae, si inhabilem te ad obeundum decurionatus honorem esse perspexerit, quando huiusmodi aetati etiam praetermissa appellatione subveniatur, iniquam nominationem removebit. * diocl. et maxim.
If your father did not consent when you were created a decurion, and you are fifteen years of age, the governor of the province, when approached, if he has perceived you to be unfit to undertake the honor of the decurionate—since to one of such an age relief is afforded even with appeal passed over—will remove the unjust nomination. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Veteranis, qui in legione vel vexillatione militantes post vicesima stipendia honestam vel causariam missionem consecuti sunt, onerum et munerum personalium vacationem concessimus. huius autem indulgentiae nostrae tenore remunerantes fidam devotionem militum nostrorum etiam provocandi necessitatem remisimus. * diocl.
To the veterans who, serving in a legion or a vexillation, after twenty stipends have obtained an honorable or a causaria (medical) discharge, we have granted exemption from burdens and personal munera. Moreover, by the tenor of this our indulgence, rewarding the faithful devotion of our soldiers, we have also remitted the necessity of being summoned. * diocl.
Omnem honorem salvum iudicibus reservantes, si quando una pars quasi laesa per definitivam eorum sententiam provocatione usa fuerit, interdicimus alteri parti quae vicit pro hoc tantummodo, quod nihil capere pro sumptibus litis et detrimentis vel minus quam oportuerat iussa est, provocationem offerre, cum ipsam decisionem litis recte factam esse confiteatur: iudicibus scilicet sive florentissimis proceribus sacri nostri palatii sive his, quibus pro minore litium aestimatione consultationes delegantur, si perspexerint adiuvandum esse victorem sumptuum perceptione, etiam sine provocatione eius hoc statuentibus et iustam eorundem sumptuum quantitatem definientibus. * iust. a. menae pp. * <a 529 d. viii id. april.
Preserving all honor safe for judges, if ever one party, as if injured by their definitive sentence, has used an appeal, we forbid the other party which has prevailed, for this reason only—that it was ordered to take nothing for the costs of the suit and losses or less than was proper—to offer an appeal, since it acknowledges that the decision of the suit itself was rightly made: judges, namely, whether the most flourishing nobles of our sacred palace or those to whom, for the assessment of lesser suits, consultations are delegated, if they perceive that the victor ought to be aided by the receipt of costs, are to establish this even without his appeal and to define the just amount of the same costs. * Justinian Augustus to Mena, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 529 on the 8th day before the Ides of April.
Sed nec occasione consultationis introducendae victori provocare concedimus, cum et priscis legibus liceat ei et sine provocationis auxilio eandem consultationem differente suo adversario introducere et nos ei nihilo minus hoc permittimus, iniuriam ex supervacua provocatione iudicibus fieri prohibentes. <a 529 d. viii id. april. constantinopoli decio vc. cons.>
But neither do we permit the victor to appeal on the pretext of introducing a consultation, since by the ancient laws it is allowed to him even without the aid of an appeal to introduce the same consultation, his adversary deferring; and we nonetheless grant him this, forbidding injury to be done to the judges by a superfluous appeal. <a 529 on april 6, at constantinople, decius, a most distinguished man, consul.>
Observare curabis, ne quis homicidarum veneficorum maleficorum adulterorum itemque eorum, qui manifestam violentiam commiserunt, argumentis convictus, testibus superatus, voce etiam propria vitium scelusque confessus audiatur appellans. * constantius a. ad hieroclem. * <a 344 d. v id. dec.
See to it that no one among murderers, poisoners, malefactors (sorcerers), adulterers, and likewise those who have committed manifest violence—convicted by arguments (proofs), overcome by witnesses, and even by his own voice having confessed the fault and the crime—be heard on appeal. * Constantius Augustus to Hierocles. * <a 344, 5 days before the Ides of December.
Sicut enim haec ita observari disposuimus, ita aequum est testibus productis, instrumentis prolatis aliisque argumentis praestitis, si sententia contra eum lata sit et ipse, qui condemnatus est aut minime voce sua confessus sit aut formidine tormentorum tentus contra se aliquid dixerit, provocandi licentiam ei non denegari. <a 344 d. v id. dec. leontio et sallustio conss.>
For just as we have decreed that these things are to be so observed, so it is equitable that—witnesses having been produced, instruments (documents) brought forward, and other arguments furnished—if a sentence has been pronounced against him, and he who has been condemned either has by no means confessed with his own voice, or, held by fear of tortures, has said something against himself, the license of appealing not be denied to him. <a 344, dated the 5th day before the Ides of December (December 9), leontius and sallustius, consuls.>
Nulli officialium a sententia proprii iudicis provocatio tribuatur nisi in eo tantum negotio, quod ratione civili, super patrimonio forte, apud proprium iudicem inchoarit, scilicet ut in eo tantum negotio a sententia eius, cui paret iudici, quisquis velit officialis appellet, quod per procuratorem persequi iure tribuitur. * valentin. et valens aa. ad modestum pp. * <a 373 d. iiii id. iun.
Let no appeal from the sentence of his own judge be granted to any of the officials, except only in that matter which, under civil law—perhaps concerning patrimony—he has initiated before his own judge; that is, that in that matter only, from the sentence of the judge to whom he is subject, any official who wishes may appeal, which it is granted by law to pursue through a procurator. * Valentinian and Valens, Augusti, to Modestus, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 373 d. 4 id. Jun.
Abstinendum prorsus appellatione sancimus, quotiens fiscalis calculi satisfactio postulatur aut tributariae functionis sollemne munus exposcitur aut publici vel etiam privati, dummodo evidentis atque convicti redhibitio debiti flagitatur, ut necessario in contumacem vigor iudiciarius excitetur. * valentin. et valens et grat.
We ordain that appeal be entirely abstained from, whenever satisfaction of the fiscal reckoning is demanded, or the solemn duty of the tributary function is exacted, or the restitution of a debt—public or even private—provided it is an evident and proven debt, is demanded, so that judicial vigor may of necessity be aroused against the contumacious. * Valentinian and Valens and Gratian.
Si clericus ante definitivam sententiam frustratoriae dilationis causa ad appellationis auxilium convolaverit, multam quinquaginta librarum argenti, quam contra huiusmodi appellatores sanctio generalis imponit, cogatur expendere. hoc autem non fisco nostro volumus accedere, sed pauperibus fideliter erogari. * valentin.
If a cleric, before a definitive sentence, for the sake of a dilatory postponement, has rushed to the aid of an appeal, let him be compelled to expend a fine of fifty pounds of silver, which the general sanction imposes against appellants of this kind. But we do not wish this to go to our fisc, but to be faithfully disbursed to the poor. * Valentinian.
A quo si fuerit appellatum, exsecutione suspensa decernendum putamus, ut, si res mobilis est, ad quam restituendam exsecutoris opera fuerit indulta, appellatione suscepta possessori res eadem detrahatur et idoneo collocetur reddenda ei parti, pro qua sacer cognitor iudicaverit. <a 378 d. iii k. febr. treviris valente vi et valentiniano ii aa. conss.>
If there shall have been an appeal from his decision, with execution suspended we think it must be decreed that, if the thing is movable, for the restoring of which the executor’s aid had been granted, upon the appeal being undertaken the same thing be taken away from the possessor and be placed with a suitable person, to be returned to that party for whom the sacred cognitor shall have judged. <a 378, on the 3rd day before the Kalends of February, at Trier, Valens 6 and Valentinian 2, Augusti, consuls.>
Quod si de possessione vel de fundis exsecutio concessa erit et eam suspenderit provocatio, fructus omnes, qui tempore interpositae provocationis capti vel postea nati erunt, in deposito collocentur, iure fundi penes eum qui appellaverit constituto. <a 378 d. iii k. febr. treviris valente vi et valentiniano ii aa. conss.>
But if execution shall have been granted concerning possession or about estates, and an appeal has suspended it, let all the fruits, which were taken at the time when the appeal was interposed or were afterwards produced, be placed in deposit, with the right in the land being vested in him who has appealed. <a 378 on the 3rd day before the Kalends of February, at Trier, when Valens was consul for the 6th time and Valentinian II, the Augusti, were consuls.>
Sciant autem se provocatores vel ab exsecutione appellantes vel ab articulo, si eos perperam intentionem cognitoris suspendisse claruerit, quinquaginta librarum argenti animadversione multandos. <a 378 d. iii k. febr. treviris valente vi et valentiniano ii aa. conss.>
Let appellants—whether appealing from execution or from the point at issue—know that, if it has become clear that they have wrongly suspended the intentio of the cognitor, they are to be punished with a fine of fifty pounds of silver. <in 378, on the 3rd day before the Kalends of February, at Trier, Valens 6 and Valentinian 2, augusti, consuls.>
Quisquis, ne voluntas diem functi testamento scripta reseretur, vel ne hi, quos scriptos patuerit heredes, in possessionem mittantur, ausus fuerit provocare interpositamque appellationem is cuius de ea re notio erit recipiendam esse crediderit, viginti librarum argenti multa et litigatorem, qui tam importune appellaverit, et iudicem, qui tam ignave coniventiam adhibuerit, involvat. * grat. valentin.
Whoever, in order that the will of the deceased written in a testament not be unsealed, or that those who shall have been shown to be written heirs not be put into possession, shall have dared to appeal; and if the person whose cognizance of that matter it is shall have believed that the interposed appeal must be received, let a fine of twenty pounds of silver encompass both the litigant who has appealed so importunately and the judge who has applied such craven connivance. * Gratian, Valentinian.
Et publicarum necessitatum et privati aerarii deposcit utilitas, ne commoda, quae domui nostrae debentur, callidis debitorum artibus differantur. quamobrem eorum appellatione reiecta, qui aperte manifesteque convicti sunt, hoc observari praecepti huius auctoritate censemus, ut ei, quem constiterit esse publicum debitorem, appellationis beneficium denegetur. * arcad.
And the utility both of public necessities and of the private treasury demands that the advantages owed to our house not be deferred by the crafty arts of debtors. Wherefore, the appeal of those who have been openly and manifestly convicted being rejected, we decree by the authority of this precept that this be observed: that to him whom it has been established is a public debtor, the benefit of appeal shall be denied. * arcad.
Si is, qui ademptis bonis in exilium datus appellaverit ac pendente provocatione defunctus est, quamvis crimen in persona eius evanuerit, tamen causam bonorum agi oportet. nam multum interest, utrum capitalis poena inrogata bona quoque rei adimat, quo casu morte eius extincto crimine nulla quaestio superesse potest, an vero non ex damnatione capitis, sed speciali praesidis sententia bona auferantur: tunc enim subducto reo sola capitis causa perimitur bonorum remanente quaestione. * alex.
If one who, his goods having been taken away, has been consigned into exile, shall appeal and, while the appeal is pending, has died, although the charge in his person has vanished, nevertheless the case concerning the goods ought to be pursued. For it makes much difference whether, a capital penalty having been imposed, the property of the defendant is also taken away—in which case, with the crime extinguished by his death, no inquiry can remain—or whether the goods are taken not from a capital condemnation but by a special sentence of the governor: for then, with the defendant removed, only the capital cause is extinguished, the question concerning the goods remaining. * alex.
Quamvis ancilla, de cuius dominio disceptabatur et a rectore provinciae contra te iudicatum fuerat, in fatum concesserit, tamen cum appellationem super ea interpositam fuisse et in numero cognitionum pendere proponas, ea provocatio suo ordine propter peculium ancillae audiri debet. * gord. a. felici.
Although the maidservant, about whose dominion there was dispute and with respect to whom the rector of the province had judged against you, has passed to her fate, nevertheless, since you allege that an appeal was interposed concerning her and that it is pending among the number of cognitions, that provocation, in its order, ought to be heard on account of the maidservant’s peculium. * Gordian Augustus to Felix.
Si unus ex litigatoribus adhuc pendente appellatione defunctus sit, non residuum tantum temporis heredes eius habent, sed etiam alios quattuor menses. sin autem ad deliberationem hereditatis certum tempus indulgetur, post elapsum eius idem tempus quattuor mensum numerabitur, ne ignorantes negotium vel etiam super adeunda hereditate dubitantes, priusquam aliquod commodum sentiant, damnis adfici compellantur. * const.
If one of the litigants has died while the appeal is still pending, his heirs have not only the remaining portion of the time, but also another four months. But if a fixed time is indulged for deliberation concerning the inheritance, after it has elapsed the same period of four months will be counted, lest those ignorant of the business, or even doubting about entering upon the inheritance, be compelled to be afflicted with damages before they sense any benefit. * const.
His, qui tempore competenti non appellant, redintegrandae audientiae facultas denegetur. omnes igitur, qui contra praefectos urbi, magistros officiorum, magistros militum seu proconsules seu comites orientis seu vicarios seu praefectos augustales vel alium iudicem sub specie formidinis provocationem non arbitrantur interponendam, a revocanda lite pellantur. * iul.
To those who do not appeal at the proper time, the faculty of reinstating the hearing shall be denied. Therefore, all who, against the Prefects of the City, the Masters of the Offices, the Masters of the Soldiers, whether proconsuls or the Counts of the East or the Vicarii or the Augustal Prefects, or any other judge, under the pretext of fear do not consider an appeal to be interposed, shall be driven off from recalling the lawsuit. * Jul.
Qui vero vim sustinuerunt contestatione publice proposita, intra dies videlicet legitimos, quibus appellare licet, causas appellationis evidenti adfirmatione distinguant, ut hoc facto tamquam interposita appellatione isdem aequitatis adminicula tribuantur. <a 362 emissa xv k. iul. mamertino et nevitta conss.>
Those, however, who have endured force, with a public protest formally set forth, shall, within the lawful days in which it is permitted to appeal, particularize the grounds of the appeal by a clear affirmation, so that, this having been done, as though an appeal had been interposed, the same supports of equity may be afforded to them. <a 362 issued on the 15th day before the Kalends of July, in the consulship of Mamertinus and Nevitta.>
Si iudici probatum fuerit unam eandemque condemnationem eorum quoque, quorum appellatio iusta pronuntiata est, fuisse nec diversitate factorum separationem accipere, emolumentum victoriae secundum ea quae constituta sunt ad te quoque pertinere non ignorabit. * alex. a. licinio.
If it has been proven to the judge that there was one and the same condemnation even of those whose appeal has been declared just, and that it does not admit a separation by a diversity of facts, he will not be unaware that the emolument of victory, in accordance with what has been established, pertains to you as well. * Alexander Augustus to Licinius.
Si in una eademque causa unus appellaverit eiusque iusta appellatio pronuntiata est, ei quoque prodest qui non appellaverit. quod si aetatis auxilio unus contra sententiam restitutionem impetravit, maiori, qui suo iure non appellaverit, hoc rescriptum non prodest. * alex.
If in one and the same case one person has appealed and his just appeal has been pronounced, it also benefits him who has not appealed. But if, by the aid of age, one person has obtained restitution against the sentence, this rescript does not benefit the elder, who did not appeal in his own right. * alex.
Si quis in quacumque lite iterum provocaverit, non licebit ei tertio in eadem lite super isdem capitulis provocatione uti vel sententias excellentissimorum praefectorum praetorio retractare: licentia danda litigatoribus arbitro dato ipsius audientiam qui eum dedit ante litis contestationem invocare et huiusmodi petitione minime provocationis vim obtinente. * iust. a. menae pp. * <a 528 d. k. iul.
If anyone in whatever lawsuit shall have appealed a second time, it shall not be permitted him a third time in the same lawsuit, upon the same heads, to use an appeal or to re-examine the sentences of the most excellent Praetorian Prefects: license being given to litigants, when an arbiter has been appointed, to invoke the hearing of the very one who appointed him before the joinder of issue, and such a petition in no way obtaining the force of an appeal. * justinian augustus to mena, praetorian prefect. * <a 528, on the Kalends of July.
Si pater tuus bonis cessit propter onera civilia, ipsius facultates oportet inquiri, non patrimonium, quod tibi emancipatae quaesitum dicis, inquietari. quod ut fiat, implorare aequitatem praesidis debes. * valer.
If your father ceded his goods on account of civil burdens, it is his own faculties that ought to be inquired into, not the patrimony which you, an emancipated woman, say was acquired for you, to be disturbed. That this may be done, you ought to implore the equity of the president (praeses). * valerian.
Legis iuliae de bonis cedendis beneficium constitutionibus divorum nostrorum parentium ad provincias porrectum esse, ut cessio bonorum admittatur, notum est: non tamen creditoribus sua auctoritate dividere haec bona et iure dominii tenere , sed venditionis remedio, quatenus substantia patitur, indemnitati suae consulere permissum est. * diocl. et maxim.
It is known that the benefit of the Julian law on ceding goods has, by the constitutions of our deified parents, been extended to the provinces, so that a cession of goods is admitted: not, however, that creditors by their own authority divide these goods and hold them by right of dominion, but that by the remedy of sale, insofar as the estate permits, they are allowed to consult for their own indemnity. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Cum itaque contra iuris rationem res iure dominii teneas eius qui bonis cessit creditorem te dicens, longi temporis praescriptione petitorem submoveri non posse manifestum est. quod si non bonis eum cessisse, sed res suas in solutum tibi dedisse monstretur, praeses provinciae poterit de proprietate tibi accommodare notionem. < >
Accordingly, since, contrary to the reason of law, you hold the things by right of dominium of one who has surrendered his goods, calling yourself his creditor, it is manifest that the petitioner cannot be removed by the prescription of long time. But if it is shown that he did not surrender his goods, but gave his own property to you in payment (in solutum), the governor (praeses) of the province will be able to grant you cognizance concerning ownership. < >
Cum et filii familias possint habere substantias, quae patribus adquiri vetitae sunt, nec non peculium vel castrense vel quod patre volente possident, quare cessio bonorum eis deneganda sit? cum, etsi nihil in suo censu hi qui in potestate sunt parentum habeant, tamen, ne patiantur iniuriam, debet bonorum cessio admitti. si enim et pater familias admittendus est propter iniuriarum timorem ad cessionis flebile veniens adiutorium, quare filiis familias utriusque sexus hoc ius denegamus?
Since even filii familias can have substances (estates) which are forbidden to be acquired to their fathers, and likewise a peculium, whether castrense or that which they possess with the father willing, why should the cession of goods be denied to them? Since, although those who are in the power of parents have nothing in their own census, nevertheless, lest they suffer injury, the cession of goods ought to be admitted. For if even the paterfamilias, on account of fear of injuries, is to be admitted as coming to the lamentable assistance of cession, why do we deny this right to filii familias of either sex?
since it is of the most evident law both among patresfamilias and those subject to another’s right, that if anything richer has afterwards accrued to them, this again can, up to the amount of the debt, be lawfully taken by creditors. * Justinian Augustus to Julianus, Praetorian Prefect. * <in the year 531, on the 10th day before the Kalends of March.>
Cum solito more a nostra maiestate petitur, ut ad miserabilis cessionis bonorum homines veniant auxilium et electio detur creditoribus vel quinquennale spatium eis indulgere vel bonorum accipere cessionem, salva eorum videlicet existimatione et omni corporali cruciatu semoto: quotidie dubitabatur, si quidam ex creditoribus voluerint quinquennales dare indutias, alii autem iam nunc cessionem accipere velint, qui audiendi sunt. * iust. a. iohanni pp. * <a 531 - 532>
Since in the customary manner it is petitioned from our majesty that aid be extended to men through the pitiable cession of goods and that a choice be given to creditors either to indulge them with a five-year period or to accept the cession of goods, their reputation, namely, being preserved and all bodily torment removed: it was doubted daily, if some of the creditors should wish to grant five-year reprieves, but others should wish already now to accept the cession, who are to be heard. * Justinian Augustus to John, Praetorian Prefect. * <a 531 - 532>
In tali itaque dubitatione minime putamus esse ambiguum, quod sentimus et quod humaniorem sententiam pro duriore elegimus. et sancimus, ut vel ex cumulo debiti vel ex numero creditorum causa iudicetur. <a 531 - 532>
In such a doubt, therefore, we think there is by no means anything ambiguous as to what we hold and that we have chosen the more humane opinion in preference to the harsher. And we sanction that the cause be adjudged either by the aggregate (cumulus) of the debt or by the number of the creditors. <a 531 - 532>
Si vero plures quidem sint creditores, ex diversis autem quantitatibus, et nunc amplior debiti cumulus minori summae praeferantur, sive par sive discrepans numerus est creditorum, cum non ex frequentissimo ordine feneratorum, sed ex quantitate debiti causa trutinatur. <a 531 - 532>
If, however, there are several creditors, indeed, but from diverse quantities, then now the larger cumulus of debt should be preferred to the lesser sum, whether the number of creditors is equal or discrepant, since the case is weighed not by the most frequent order of money‑lenders, but by the quantity of the debt. <a 531 - 532>
In bonis mortui potiorem esse causam legatariorum, qui eum utpote heredem convenire potuerunt, quam eorum, quibus ipse legavit, manifestum est, cum prius legatum quasi aes alienum exigitur, legatum autem a mortuo relictum post debiti detractionem inducitur. * ant. a. atticae.
In the goods of the deceased, it is manifest that the claim of the legatees who could sue him, as being, so to speak, an heir, is superior to that of those to whom he himself bequeathed; since the former legacy is exacted as if it were a foreign debt (aes alienum), whereas a legacy left by the deceased is brought in only after deduction of the debt. * ant. a. atticae.
Est iurisdictionis tenor promptissimus indemnitatisque remedium edicto praetoris creditoribus hereditariis demonstratum, ut, quotiens separationem bonorum postulant, causa cognita impetrent. praeoptabis igitur convenientem desiderii tui fructum, si te non heredum fidem secutum, sed ex necessitate ad iudicium eos provocare demonstraveris. * gord.
The tenor of jurisdiction is most prompt, and a remedy of indemnity has been pointed out by the edict of the praetor for the creditors of the inheritance, to the effect that, whenever they demand a separation of the goods, with the case examined they may obtain it. You will therefore prefer the fitting fruit of your desire, if you show that you did not rely upon the credit of the heirs, but from necessity are calling them to judgment. * Gordian.
Ex contractu, qui cessionem rerum antecessit, debitorem contra iuris rationem conveniens, cum eum aequitas auxilio exceptionis muniat ac tunc demum iteratam possis desiderare conventionem, cum tantum postea quaesiit, quod praesidem ad eius rei licentiam debeat promovere. * gord. a. claudianae.
From a contract which preceded the surrender of goods, suing the debtor is contrary to the rationale of the law, since equity equips him with the aid of an exception; and only then can you seek a renewed suit, when he has afterwards acquired enough that the governor ought to grant leave in this matter. * gordian augustus to claudiana.
Quod si specialiter vel generaliter nemini probentur obligatae ac sine successore communis debitor vel heres eius decessit, non dominii rerum vindicatione, sed possessione bonorum itemque venditione aequali portione pro rata debiti quantitate omnibus creditoribus consuli potest. <>
But if, whether specifically or generally, the goods are proved to have been obligated to no one, and the common debtor or his heir has died without a successor, provision can be made for all the creditors, not by a vindication of ownership of the things, but by possession of the goods and likewise by sale, in equal portion pro rata to the amount of the debt. <>
Si uxor tua pro triente patruo suo heres extitit nec ab eo quicquam exigere prohibita est, debitum a coheredibus pro besse petere non prohibetur, cum ultra eam portionem qua successit actio non confundatur. sin autem coheredes solvendo non sint, separatio postulata nullum ei damnum fieri patiatur. * diocl.
If your wife has become her paternal uncle’s heir for a third, and has not been prohibited by him from demanding anything, she is not forbidden to seek the debt from the coheirs for the two-thirds, since beyond that portion in which she succeeded the action is not confounded. But if the coheirs are not solvent, upon separation being requested, let no loss be allowed to befall her. * diocl.
Cum proponas eum contra quem supplicas ex administratione tibi negotiorum obligatum, hunc secundum iuris rationem adito rectore provinciae potes convenire. nam si ad circumscriptionem tui iuris latitat nec defendatur et eum tuum esse debitorem constat, ad exemplum edicti bonorum eius possessionem poteris impetrare: tempore autem transacto etiam venditionem eorum a competenti iudice postulare non prohiberis. * diocl.
When you allege that the person against whom you petition is obligated to you from the administration of your affairs, you can, according to the reason of the law, proceed against him by approaching the rector of the province. For if, to the circumvention of your right, he lies hidden and is not defended, and it is established that he is your debtor, you will be able, after the pattern of the edict, to obtain possession of his goods; and when the time has elapsed, you are not forbidden also to request their sale from the competent judge. * diocl.
Cum apud veteres quaestionem ortam invenimus super pecuniis debitis, pro quibus hypothecae non sunt constitutae, propter res ad debitorem pertinentes, dum is severiores creditores formidans sese celaverit, et illi de rebus ad eum pertinentibus competentia ingrediantur iudicia postulentque in possessionem rerum sese transmitti, si etiam alii creditores, quibus obnoxius esse videtur, possint quandam habere communionem in rerum possessione: huiusmodi dubitationem amputantes censemus per praesentem generalem divinam constitutionem, ut, si non omnes huiu smodi debita praetendentes, sed ex his certi ab iudiciali sententia in possessionem rerum mittantur, non solum hi, sed etiam alii omnes talia debita praetendentes eadem commoditate potiantur et possint cum prioribus rerum detentatoribus communionem habere in rebus, de quibus ( sicut superius declaratur) prolata fuit sententia. quid enim iustius est, quam omnes, qui ad res debitoris mitti debent , esse participes huiusmodi commoditatis? * iust.
Since among the ancients we find a question arisen concerning monies owed, for which hypothecs have not been constituted, on account of things pertaining to the debtor, while he, fearing more severe creditors, has hidden himself, and they commence the competent actions concerning the things pertaining to him and request to be sent into possession of the goods, whether even other creditors, to whom he seems to be bound, can have some share in the possession of the goods: cutting off such a doubt, we decree by the present general divine constitution, that, if not all persons asserting debts of this kind, but certain of them, are by judicial sentence sent into possession of the goods, not only these, but also all the others asserting such debts, shall obtain the same advantage and can have a communion with the prior holders of the goods in the things concerning which ( as is declared above) sentence was pronounced. For what is more just than that all who ought to be sent to the debtor’s goods be participants of such an advantage? * Justinian.
Ut autem non in perpetuum aliorum neglegentia illi, qui pro suis debitis alacriores creditoribus aliis ostenduntur fuisse, praegraventur, rectum nobis esse videtur tunc communionem habere in possessionem rerum alios creditores, qui non hoc peregisse noscuntur, cum praesentes quidem in una eademque degentes provincia , in qua et possessores rerum commorantur, intra duorum annorum spatia, absentes autem intra quadriennium creditoribus possessionem antelato modo detinentibus suum debitum certum faciant et expensas secundum quantitatem debitorum persolvant eis, qui sententias consecuti sunt, per sacramentum manifestandas eorum, qui eas adipiscendae gratia possessionis rerum sustinuerunt, quia et secundum debita satis eis fieri explorati iuris est. <a 532 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc. anno secundo.>
But, lest through the negligence of others those who, on account of their own debts, are shown to have been more zealous than other creditors be burdened forever, it seems right to us that other creditors, who are known not to have accomplished this, then have a sharing in the possession of the property, when—being present and dwelling in one and the same province, in which also the possessors of the property are residing—within a space of two years, but if absent within four years, they make their debt certain against the creditors who are holding possession in the aforesaid manner and pay the expenses, according to the quantity of the debts, to those who have obtained the judgments, the expenses to be made manifest by the oath of those who have borne the possession of the property for the sake of acquiring them, since it is also a well-established point of law that satisfaction be made to them according to the debts. <in the year 532, on the 15th day before the Kalends of November, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, in the second year.>
Post completum autem memoratum tempus nullam eis esse licentiam eos qui possessionem adepti sunt molestare vel quibusdam damnis adficere: actiones autem, quas ex legibus sibi competere putaverint, contra suos exercere debitores. <a 532 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc. anno secundo.>
But after the completion of the aforesaid time, they shall have no license to molest those who have obtained possession or to afflict them with any damages; rather, they may exercise against their own debtors the actions which they consider to belong to them under the laws. <a 532 on the 15th day before the Kalends of November, at Constantinople, after the consulship of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, in the second year.>
Sin autem hi qui detinent possessiones vel ex sententia iudicis res vendiderint vel alio quocumque legitimo modo omne ius, quod in isdem rebus habere noscuntur, in alias personas post definitum a nobis tempus transtulerint et certas pecunias acceperint, quidquid superfluum inventum fuerit vel amplius quam eis debetur, hoc modis omnibus necesse est eos praesentibus tabulariis signare et in cimeliarchio sanctae ecclesiae illius civitatis, in qua huiusmodi contractus celebratur, deponere: attestatione videlicet prius per memoratos tabularios conscribenda , praesente etiam eo qui res vendiderit vel in alias personas transtulerit, ut per eam manifestetur tam quantitas pecuniarum, quae pro venditione rerum vel translatione praestitae sunt, quam earum, quae superfluae post dissolutum debitum inveniantur, ut, si quis postea creditor apparuerit et debiti cautionem ostenderit, possit ex his satis sibi facere, prius scilicet rectore provinciae sine aliquo damno causae faciente examinationem et non concedente nec viros reverentissimos oeconomos vel cimeliarcham sanctae ecclesiae, in qua pecuniae deponuntur, aliquod detrimentum vel dispendium sustinere, per suam autem interlocutionem creditorem praecipiente secundum modum debiti ex depositis pecuniis suum accipere debitum. <a 532 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc. anno secundo.>
But if those who detain the possessions either have sold the things by sentence of a judge or by any other legitimate mode have transferred into other persons, after the time defined by us, all the right which they are known to have in the same things, and have received certain monies, whatever surplus shall be found, or more than is owed to them, this by all means it is necessary that they sign with the present tabularii and deposit in the cimeliarchium of the holy church of that city in which a contract of this kind is celebrated: with an attestation, namely, to be written beforehand by the aforesaid tabularii, the one also being present who sold the things or transferred them into other persons, so that by it there may be made manifest both the quantity of the monies which were furnished for the sale of the things or the transfer, and those which are found superfluous after the debt has been dissolved, so that, if any creditor should appear thereafter and should show the security (cautio) of the debt, he may be able from these to make satisfaction for himself, the governor of the province, to wit, first making an examination without causing any prejudice to the case and not permitting either the most reverend oeconomi or the cimeliarch of the holy church, in which the monies are deposited, to endure any detriment or loss, but by his own interlocution ordering the creditor to receive his debt from the deposited monies according to the measure of the debt. <a in the year 532, on the 15th day before the Kalends of November, at Constantinople, after the consulate of Lampadius and Orestes, most distinguished men, in the second year.>
Ut autem non liceat creditori in venditione vel translatione rerum dolum vel aliquam machinationem vel circumscriptionem facere, iubemus attestatione super hoc celebranda apud defensorem locorum gestis intervenientibus insinuari, sive tantum ex pretio, quantum debetur, sive plus sive minus colligitur, et praesentibus non tantum, sicut dictum est, tabulariis, sed etiam viro reverentissimo cimeliarcha, apud quem, si ita contigerit, superfluae pecuniae signatae deponendae sunt, iusiurandum sacrosanctis evangeliis propositis venditorem vel translatorem rerum praestare, quod neque per gratiam emptoris vel eius, ad quem res iure cessionis transferuntur, nec dolo aliquo interveniente minorem iusto rerum pretio quantitatem acceperit, sed eam, quam re vera cum omni studio potuerit invenire. <a 532 d. xv k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc. anno secundo.>
In order that it may not be permitted to the creditor, in the sale or transfer of the things, to commit fraud or any machination or circumvention, we order that an attestation be celebrated on this matter and be insinuated before the defensor of the localities, the acts intervening, whether only so much from the price as is owed, or more, or less is collected; and, with present not only, as has been said, the tabularii, but also the most reverend man the cimeliarch, with whom, if it so happens, surplus moneys, once sealed, are to be deposited, the seller or transferor of the things shall furnish an oath, the sacrosanct Gospels having been set forth, that neither through the favor of the buyer or of him to whom the things are transferred by right of cession, nor with any fraud intervening, has he received a quantity less than the just price of the things, but that which in truth with every diligence he was able to find. <a 532 d. 15 k. nov. constantinopoli post consulatum lampadii et orestis vv. cc. anno secundo.>
Quamvis ex causa dotis vir quondam tuus tibi sit condemnatus, tamen si prius, quam res eius tibi obligarentur, cum fisco contraxit, ius fisci causam tuam praevenit. quod si post bonorum eius obligationem rationibus meis coepit esse obligatus, in eius bona cessat privilegium fisci. * ant.
Although on the ground of the dowry your former husband has been condemned in your favor, nevertheless, if before his property was obligated to you he contracted with the fisc, the right of the fisc anticipates (has precedence over) your cause. But if after the obligation of his goods he began to be obligated to my accounts, the privilege of the fisc ceases as to his goods. * ant.
Si, cum pecuniam pro marito solveres, neque ius fisci in te transferri impetrasti neque pignoris causa domum vel aliud quid ab eo accepisti, habes personalem actionem nec potes praeferri fisci rationibus, a quo dicis ei vectigal denuo locatum esse, cum eo pacto universa, quae habet habuitve eo tempore, quo ad conductionem accessit, pignoris iure fisco teneantur. salva igitur indemnitate fisci debitorem tuum pro pecunia, quam pro eo fisco solvisti, more solito convenire non prohiberis. * ant.
If, when you paid money on behalf of your husband, you neither obtained that the right of the fisc be transferred to you nor received from him, as a pledge, a house or anything else, you have a personal action, and you cannot be preferred to the accounts/interests of the fisc, by whom you say a vectigal (tax-farm) has been leased to him anew, since by that pact all the things which he has or had at the time he entered into the lease are held to the fisc by the right of pledge. Therefore, with the indemnity of the fisc preserved, you are not forbidden to proceed against your debtor, in the usual manner, for the money which you paid to the fisc on his behalf. * ant.
Si debitor, cuius fundum fuisse et ipse confiteris, prius eum distraxit, quam fisco aliquid debuit, inquietandum te non esse procurator meus cognoscet. nam etsi postea debitor extitit, non ideo tamen ea, quae de dominio eius excesserunt, pignoris iure fisco potuerunt obligari. * ant.
If the debtor—whose estate you yourself admit it to have been—alienated it earlier, before he owed anything to the fisc, my procurator will recognize that you are not to be disturbed. For even if he afterwards became a debtor, nevertheless those things which have passed out of his dominion could not be bound to the fisc by the right of pledge. * ant.
Si in te ius fisci, cum reliqua debitoris, pro quo satisfaciebas, tibi competens iudex adscripsit et transtulit, ab his creditoribus, quibus fiscus potior habetur, res quas eo nomine tenes non possunt inquietari. * valer. et gallien.
If the right of the fisc, together with the debtor’s remaining balance, on whose behalf you were making satisfaction, has been assigned and transferred to you by the competent judge, the things which you hold under that title cannot be disturbed by those creditors, in relation to whom the fisc is held to be superior. * Valerian and Gallienus.
Si heres post aditam hereditatem ad eum cui cessit corpora hereditaria transtulit, creditoribus permansit obligatus. si igitur in fraudem tuam id fecit, bonis eius excussis usitatis actionibus, si tibi negotium fuerit gestum, ea quae in fraudem alienata probabuntur revocabis. * ant.
If the heir, after the inheritance has been accepted, transferred the hereditary assets to the person to whom he had ceded them, he remained obligated to the creditors. If, therefore, he did this in fraud of you, after his goods have been excussed by the customary actions, if the business shall have been managed for you, you will revoke those things which shall be proved to have been alienated in fraud. * Antoninus.
Si successione patris abstenta fuisti, ob ea quae in dotem data sunt convenire te creditores nequeunt, quibus pignerata in dotem data non docentur, nisi bonis defuncti non sufficientibus in fraudem creditorum dotem constitutam probabitur. * alex. a. symphorianae.
If you have abstained from your father’s succession, creditors— to whom the things given into dowry are not shown to have been pledged— cannot sue you on account of those things that were given as dowry, unless, the goods of the deceased being insufficient, it is proved that the dowry was constituted in fraud of the creditors. * Alexander Augustus to Symphoriana.
Ignoti iuris non est adversus eum, qui sententia condemnatus intra statutum tempus satis non fecit nec defenditur, bonis possessis itemque distractis per actionem in factum contra emptorem, qui sciens fraudem comparavit, et eum, qui ex lucrativo titulo possidet, scientiae mentione detracta creditoribus esse consultum. * diocl. et maxim.
It is no unknown point of law that, against one who, having been condemned by sentence, has not furnished security within the statutory time and is not defended, once the goods have been seized and likewise alienated, an action in factum lies both against the purchaser who knowingly acquired in fraud, and against him who possesses by a lucrative title—mention of knowledge being set aside—in provision for the creditors. * Diocletian and Maximian.
Si actu sollemni praecedentem obligationem peremisti, perspicis adversus fraudatorem intra annum in quantum facere potest vel dolo malo fecit, quo minus possit , edicto perpetuo tantum actionem permitti. * diocl. et maxim.
If by a solemn act you have extinguished the preceding obligation, you perceive that, against the defrauder, within a year, only an action is permitted by the Perpetual Edict, to the extent that he is able to perform, or has by malicious fraud done something whereby he is less able to perform , by the Perpetual Edict only. * diocl. et maxim.