Theodosius: Liber III

CTh.3.1.0. De contrahenda emptione
CTh.3.2.0. De commissoria rescindenda.
CTh.3.3.0. De patribus, qui filios distraxerunt.
CTh.3.4.0. De aediliciis actionibus.

CTh.3.1.0. On contracting a purchase
CTh.3.2.0. On the commissory clause to be rescinded.
CTh.3.3.0. On fathers who have sold off their sons.
CTh.3.4.0. On aedilician actions.

CTh.3.5.0. De sponsalibus et ante nuptias donationibus
CTh.3.6.0. Si provinciae rector vel ad eum pertinentes sponsalia dederint.
CTh.3.7.0. De nuptiis.
CTh.3.8.0. De secundis nuptiis.

CTh.3.5.0. On espousals and donations before nuptials
CTh.3.6.0. If the governor of a province or those pertaining to him shall have contracted espousals.
CTh.3.7.0. On nuptials.
CTh.3.8.0. On second nuptials.

CTh.3.9.0. Si secundo nupserit mulier, cui maritus usumfructum reliquerit.
CTh.3.10.0. Si nuptiae ex rescripto petantur.
CTh.3.11.0. Si quacumque* praeditus potestate nuptias petat invitae.

CTh.3.9.0. If a woman, to whom her husband has left the usufruct, should marry a second time.
CTh.3.10.0. If nuptials are sought on the basis of a rescript.
CTh.3.11.0. If someone endowed with whatever* power seeks marriage with a woman against her will.

CTh.3.12.0. De incestis nuptiis
CTh.3.13.0. De dotibus.
CTh.3.14.0. De nuptiis gentilium.
CTh.3.15.0. De fideiussoribus dotium.

CTh.3.12.0. On incestuous marriages
CTh.3.13.0. On dowries.
CTh.3.14.0. On the marriages of gentiles.
CTh.3.15.0. On guarantors of dowries.

CTh.3.16.0. De repudiis.
CTh.3.17.0. De tutoribus et curatoribus creandis.
CTh.3.18.0. Qui petant
CTh.3.30.0. De administratione et periculo tutorum et curatorum
CTh.3.31.0. De excusatione tutorum
CTh.3.32.0. De praediis minorum sine decreto non alienandis

CTh.3.16.0. On repudiations.
CTh.3.17.0. On the appointing of tutors and curators.
CTh.3.18.0. Who may petition
CTh.3.30.0. On the administration and peril of tutors and curators
CTh.3.31.0. On the excusation of tutors
CTh.3.32.0. On the estates of minors not to be alienated without decree

CTh.3.1.0. De contrahenda emptione

CTh.3.1.0. On contracting a purchase

CTh.3.1.1 [=brev.3.1.1]

Imp. constantinus a. ad profuturum pf. annonae. venditionis atque emptionis* fidem, nulla circumscriptionis violentia facta, rumpi minime decet.

Emperor Constantine Augustus to Profuturus, Prefect of the Annona. The good faith of vendition and emption*, with no violence of overreaching committed, ought by no means to be broken.

nec enim sola pretii vilioris querela contractus sine ulla culpa celebratus litigioso strepitu turbandus est. pp. id. aug. constantino a. v. et licinio caes.

nor indeed should a contract concluded without any fault be disturbed with litigious clamor solely by the complaint of a lower price. on the day before the Ides of August, when Constantine Augustus for the fifth time and Licinius Caesar were consuls.

coss.

consuls.

interpretatio. quum inter ementem et vendentem res fuerit definito pretio comparata, quamvis plus valeat, quam ad praesens venditur, hoc tantummodo requirendum est, si nihil fraudis vel violentiae egit ille, qui comparasse probatur. et si voluerit revocare, qui vendidit, nullatenus permittatur

interpretation. when between the buyer and the seller a thing has been acquired at a defined price, although it may be worth more than it is at present sold for, this only is to be inquired: whether he who is proved to have acquired it did nothing of fraud or violence. and if the one who sold should wish to revoke, let it by no means be permitted

CTh.3.1.2pr. [=brev.3.1.2pr.]

Idem a. ad gregorium. qui comparat, censum rei comparatae cognoscat: neque liceat alicui, rem sine censu vel comparare vel vendere. inspectio autem publica vel fiscalis esse debebit hac lege, ut, si aliquid sine censu venierit, et id ab alio deferetur, venditor quidem possessionem, comparator vero id, quod dedit pretium, fisco vindicante, perdat.

The same Augustus to Gregorius. Let him who purchases ascertain the census of the thing purchased: nor let it be permitted to anyone either to buy or to sell a thing without a census. But the inspection ought to be public or fiscal by this law, that, if anything has been sold without a census, and this is reported by another, the seller indeed
shall lose the possession, while the purchaser, with the fisc vindicating, shall lose that which he gave as the price.

CTh.3.1.2.1 [=brev.3.1.2.1]

Theodosian Code 3.1.2.1 [= Breviary 3.1.2.1]

Id etiam placuit, neminem ad venditionem rei cuiuslibet accedere, nisi eo tempore, quo inter venditorem et emptorem* contractus solenniter explicatur, certa et vera proprietas a vicinis demonstretur; usque eo legis istius cautione currente, ut, etiamsi subsellia vel, ut vulgo aiunt, scamna vendantur, ostendendae proprietatis probatio compleatur.

It has also pleased that no one should proceed to the sale of any property, unless at that time when the contract between the seller and the buyer* is solemnly set forth,
a certain and true ownership be demonstrated by the neighbors; with the safeguard of this law extending so far that, even if benches, or, as they commonly say, stools, are being sold,
the proof for exhibiting ownership be completed.

CTh.3.1.2.2 [=brev.3.1.2.2]

Nec inter emptorem* et venditorem solennia in exquisitis cuniculis celebrentur, sed fraudulenta venditio penitus sepulta depereat. dat. prid.

Nor let the solemnities between the buyer* and the seller be celebrated in elaborate tunnels, but let a fraudulent sale, utterly buried, perish. given the day before.

non. febr. constantinopoli, feliciano et titiano coss.

on the Nones of February, at Constantinople, Felicianus and Titianus, consuls.

interpretatio. quicumque* villam comparat, tributum rei ipsius, sicuti et ius possessionis se comparasse cognoscat, quia non licet ulli agrum sine tributo vel solutione fiscali aut comparare aut vendere. quod si suppressa fiscali solutione aliquis vendere ausus fuerit vel comparare praesumpserit*, noverint, inter quos talis fuerit secreta transactione contractus, quod et ille pretium perdat, qui emptor* accesserit, et venditor possessionem amittat, quia iubetur, ut vicini rei, quae venditur, testes esse debeant et praesentes, in tantum, ut etiam de mediocribus rebus si quid in usum venditur, ostendi vicinis placeat, et sic comparari, ne aliena vendantur

interpretation. whoever* purchases a villa, let him recognize that he has taken on the tribute of the thing itself, just as also the right of possession; because it is not permitted for anyone to buy or to sell land without the tribute or the fiscal payment. But if, with the fiscal payment suppressed, someone shall have dared to sell or shall have presumed* to buy, let them know—among whom such a contract shall have been concluded by a secret transaction—that both he loses the price who shall have come in as the buyer*, and the seller loses the possession; because it is ordered that the neighbors of the property which is being sold ought to be witnesses and present, to such an extent that even in the case of moderate things, if anything is sold for use, it should be shown to the neighbors and so purchased, lest things belonging to another be sold

CTh.3.1.3 [=brev.3.1.3]

Imp. iulianus a. ad iulianum comitem orientis. patrui mei constantini constitutionem iubemus aboleri, qua praecepit, minores feminas consortio virorum copulatas sine decreti interpositione venditiones posse celebrare, si viri earum consensum pariter atque subscriptionem instrumentis putaverint esse praebendam, quoniam absurdum est, maritos eis interdum inopes obligari, quum possint, venditionis iure ipso non valente, res proprias recipere ab iis, qui se illicitis contractibus miscuerunt.

Emperor Julian Augustus to Julian, Count of the East. We order the constitution of my uncle Constantine to be abolished, by which he prescribed that minor females, joined in the consortium of husbands, could consummate sales without the interposition of a decree, if their husbands should think that their consent, together with their subscription, ought to be furnished to the instruments, since it is absurd that husbands, sometimes destitute, be obligated to them, when they can, the very right of the sale not being valid, recover their own property from those who have involved themselves in illicit contracts.

vetus igitur ius revocamus, ut omnis venditio, quaecumque* fuerit a minore, viro sive femina, sine decreti interpositione celebrata, nulla ratione subsistat. dat. viii.

Therefore we recall the old law, that every sale, whatever* it shall have been by a minor, male or female, celebrated without the interposition of a decree, shall in no way stand. Given on the 8th.

id. dec. antiochia, mamertino et nevitta coss.

on the Ides of December, at Antioch, under the consulship of Mamertinus and Nevitta.

interpretatio. constantini imperatoris fuerat lege praeceptum, ut minores aetate feminae, si maritos haberent, cum illorum consensu possent de facultatibus suis aliqua vendere. sed hoc praesenti lege remotum est, atque id observandum erit, ut in annis minoribus constituti, seu vir seu femina, si ita necessitas exegerit, ut aliquid vendere velint, qui comparare voluerit, auctoritate iudicis aut consensu curiae muniatur: nam aliter a minoribus facta venditio non valebit

interpretation. it had been prescribed by law of emperor constantine that women minors in age, if they had husbands, could, with their consent, sell some things from their resources. but this has been removed by the present law, and this shall be observed: that those constituted in lesser years, whether man or woman, if necessity so requires that they wish to sell something, whoever wishes to purchase shall be secured by the authority of the judge or by the consent of the curia; for otherwise a sale made by minors will not be valid

CTh.3.1.4 [=brev.3.1.4]

Theodosian Code 3.1.4 [= breviary 3.1.4]

Imppp. grat., valentin. et theodos.

The Emperors Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius.

aaa. ad hypatium pf. p. quisquis maior aetate atque administrandis familiarum suarum curis idoneus comprobatus praedia, etiam procul posita, distraxerit, etiamsi praedii forte totius quolibet casu minime facta distractio est, repetitionis in reliquum, pretii nomine vilioris, copiam minime consequatur. neque inanibus immorari sinatur obiectis, ut vires sibimet locorum causetur incognitas, qui familiaris rei scire vires vel merita atque emolumenta debuerit.

The same Augusti to Hypatius, Praetorian Prefect.
Whoever, being of greater age and approved as fit for administering the cares of his own households, has alienated estates, even those situated far off, even if by some chance the sale of the whole estate has by no means been made, shall by no means obtain the opportunity of repetition for the remainder, under the name of a cheaper price. Nor let him be allowed to dwell upon empty objections, so as to plead that the forces/resources of the places were unknown to himself, he who ought to have known the forces of the household property, or its merits and emoluments.

dat. vi. non. mai.

given on the 6th day before the Nones of May.

mediolano, merobaude ii. et saturnino coss.

At Milan, in the consulship of Merobaudes for the 2nd time and of Saturninus.

interpretatio. quaecumque* persona iam perfecta aetate domum suam regere potest, si villam, domum vel quodlibet aliud, habita pretii definitione, vendiderit, et forsitan postea opponere velit, quod minus pretii acceperit, quam res valebat, quia forte agrum, quem vendidit, longe positus ignorasse se dicat, non ideo venditio poterit revocari: quia aetas perfecta potuit scire, quid venderet, aut quo pretio res vendenda valere potuisset

interpretation. whatever* person already of perfected age can govern his own house, if he has sold a villa, a house, or anything else, with a determination of the price having been made, and perhaps afterwards should wish to object that he received less of a price than the thing was worth, because perhaps, since the field which he sold was situated far away, he says he was ignorant, not for that reason will the sale be able to be revoked: because perfected age could know what he was selling, or at what price the thing to be sold could have been valued

CTh.3.1.5 [=brev.3.1.5]

Theodosian Code3.1.5 [=breviary3.1.5]

Iidem aaa. cynegio pf. p. ne quis omnino iudaeorum christianum comparet servum neve ex christiano iudaicis sacramentis attaminet. quod si factum publica indago compererit, et servi abstrahi debent, et tales domini congruae atque aptae facinori poenae subiaceant: addito eo, ut, si qui apud iudaeos vel adhuc christiani servi vel ex christianis iudaei reperti fuerint, soluto per christianos competenti pretio ab indigna servitute redimantur.

the same augusti to cynegius, praetorian prefect: that no one at all of the jews purchase a christian as a slave, nor taint a christian with jewish sacraments. but if a public investigation has discovered it to have been done, both the slaves must be taken away, and such masters shall be subject to a punishment congruent and apt to the crime: with this added, that, if among the jews there shall be found either slaves who are still christians or jews made from christians, they are to be redeemed from unworthy servitude, the appropriate price being paid by christians.

accepta x. kal. oct. rhegio, richomere et clearcho coss.

received on 22 September at Rhegium, in the consulship of Richomer and Clearchus.

interpretatio. convenit ante omnia observari, ut nulli iudaeo servum christianum habere liceat, certe nullatenus audeat, ut christianum, si habuerit, ad suam legem transferre praesumat. quod si fecerit, noverit se sublatis servis poenam dignam tanto crimine subiturum: nam ante legem datam id fuerat statutum, ut pro christiano servo, si inquinatus fuisset pollutione iudaica, sciret sibi pretium, quod dederat, a christianis esse reddendum, ut servus in christiana lege permaneret

interpretation. It is agreed before all things to be observed, that it be permitted to no Judaean to have a Christian slave, surely let him in no way dare, that a Christian, if he shall have had one, he presume to transfer to his own law. But if he shall have done this, let him know that, the slaves having been taken away, he will undergo a punishment worthy of so great a crime: for before the law was given it had been decreed, that for a Christian slave, if he had been defiled with Judaic pollution, he should know for himself that the price which he had paid was to be returned to him by Christians, so that the slave might remain in the Christian law

CTh.3.1.6 [=brev.3.1.6]

Iidem aaa. flaviano pf. p. illyrici et italiae. dudum proximis consortibusque concessum erat, ut extraneos ab emptione* removerent, neque homines suo arbitratu vendenda distraherent.

The same emperors to Flavianus, praetorian prefect of Illyricum and Italy. Formerly it had been granted to the nearest neighbors and co-consorts, that they should remove outsiders from a purchase*, and that men should not, by their own discretion, sell off things to be sold.

sed quia gravis haec videtur iniuria, quae inani honestatis colore velatur, ut homines de rebus suis facere aliquid cogantur inviti, superiore lege cassata, unusquisque suo arbitratu quaerere vel probare possit emptorem*. dat. vi. kal. iun.

but because this injury seems grave, which is veiled in the empty color of honesty, that men be compelled, unwilling, to do something concerning their own property, the prior law having been cassated, let each person, at his own discretion, be able to seek or approve a purchaser*. Given on the 6 Kalends of June.

vincentiae, tatiano et symmacho coss.

At Vicentia, in the consulship of Tatianus and Symmachus.

interpretatio. prior ordinatio legis fuerat, ut si unus ex consortibus pro quacumque* necessitate rem vendere voluisset, extraneus emendi licentiam non haberet. sed hoc melius probatur indultum, ut quicumque* de rebus suis libero utatur arbitrio, et praetermissis consortibus vel propinquis, cui voluerit, vendendi liberam habeat facultatem

interpretation. The prior ordination of the law had been that, if one of the consorts wished, for whatever* necessity, to sell a thing, an outsider should not have the license of buying. But this is better approved as a grant, that whoever* may use free discretion concerning his own goods, and, the partners or kinsmen passed over, may have the free faculty of selling to whom he will

CTh.3.1.7 [=brev.3.1.7]

Iidem aaa. remigio pf. augustali. semel inter personas legitimas initus empti* contractus et venditi ob minorem annumeratam pretii quantitatem nequeat infirmari.

The same emperors, to Remigius, Augustal Prefect. A contract of purchase* and sale, once entered into between legitimate persons, cannot be invalidated on account of a lesser quantity of the price having been counted out.

dat. iii. kal.

dated on the 3rd day before the Kalends.

april. constantinopoli, arcadio a. iv. et honorio a. iii. coss.

april. at constantinople, arcadius augustus 4. and honorius augustus 3. consuls.

interpretatio. quum inter duas quascumque* personas de pretio cuiuscumque* rei convenerit, quamvis vilius, quam valebat, res fuerit comparata, nullatenus revocetur

interpretation. when between any two persons whatsoever it has been agreed concerning the price of any thing whatsoever, although the thing may have been procured more cheaply than it was worth, it shall by no means be revoked

CTh.3.1.8 [=brev.3.1.8]

Iidem aaa. messalae pf. p. post alia: hi, qui imposita fuga munera civitatis provinciarumque destituunt et ineundos furtim existimant esse contractus, intelligant, sibi nihil haec profutura esse commenta, et pretio emptorem* mulctandum esse, quod dederit etc. dat.

The same Augusti, to Messala, Praetorian Prefect, after other things: those who, having taken to flight, abandon the munera of the city and the provinces, and think that contracts to be entered are to be made clandestinely, let them understand that these contrivances will be of no profit to themselves, and that the buyer is to be mulcted of the price which he has given, etc. Given.

xii. kal. sept.

12th day before the Kalends of September.

theodoro v. c. cos.

under the consulship of Theodorus, a most distinguished man.

interpretatio. quicumque* debita curiae servitia aut patriae suae fugientes, res suas occulte vendere voluerint, sciant non posse valere, quod fecerint, et se ipsos ad debita servitia revocandos, et illos, qui emerint, pretium perdituros

interpretation. whoever* fleeing the owed services of the curia or of their fatherland, shall have wished to sell their property secretly, let them know that what they have done cannot be valid, and that they themselves are to be recalled to the owed services, and that those who have bought will lose the price

CTh.3.1.9 [=brev.3.1.9]

Theodosian Code 3.1.9 [=Breviary 3.1.9]

Impp. honor. et theodos.

The Emperors Honorius and Theodosius.

aa. ad populum. venditiones, donationes, transactiones, quae per potentiam extortae sunt, praecipimus infirmari. dat.

The Emperors to the People. Sales, donations, transactions, which have been extorted by power, we order to be invalidated. Given.

xiii. kal. mart.

13th day before the kalends of march.

constantinopoli, honorio x. et theodos. vi. aa. coss.

at constantinople, in the consulship of honorius 10 and theodosius 6, the augusti, consuls.

interpretatio. sciant omnes, quaecumque* a potentioribus personis oppressi aut donaverint aut vendiderint, posse revocari

interpretation. let all know that whatever*, oppressed by more powerful persons, they have either donated or sold, can be revoked

CTh.3.1.10

Theodosian Code 3.1.10

Honorius et theodosius aa. palladio praefecto praetorio. in administratione et in militia positis emendi licentiam denegatam superflua nonnullorum dicitur esse persuasio, cum lex divi honorii ad palladium praefectum praetorio missa in theodosianum redacta corpus hanc copiam talibus legatur dedisse personis. (.......).

Honorius and Theodosius, emperors, to Palladius, praetorian prefect. The claim that to those placed in administration and in military service the license to purchase has been denied is said to be the superfluous persuasion of some, since the law of the deified Honorius, sent to Palladius the praetorian prefect, edited into the Theodosian Code, is read to have given this liberty to such persons. (.......).

CTh.3.2.0. De commissoria rescindenda.

CTh.3.2.0. On rescinding the commissory clause.

CTh.3.2.1 [=brev.3.2.1]

Imp. constantinus a. ad populum. quoniam inter alias captiones praecipue commissoriae legis crescit asperitas, placet infirmari eam et in posterum omnem eius memoriam aboleri.

The Emperor Constantine Augustus to the people. Since among other exactions the harshness of the commissory law especially grows, it pleases (us) that it be invalidated and in the future that every memory of it be abolished.

si quis igitur tali contractu laborat, hac sanctione respiret, quae cum praeteritis praesentia quoque depellit et futura prohibet. creditores enim, re amissa, iubemus recipere, quod dederunt. dat.

If anyone, therefore, labors under such a contract, let him breathe again under this sanction, which, along with past matters, also drives off present ones and forbids future ones. For we order the creditors, the property having been lost, to receive back what they gave. Given.

prid. kal. febr.

the day before the Kalends of February.

serdica, constantino a. vi. et constantino caes. coss.

serdica, in the consulship of constantine
augustus for the 6th time and constantine caesar, consuls.

interpretatio. commissoriae cautiones dicuntur, in quibus debitor creditori suo rem, ipsi oppignoratam ad tempus, vendere per necessitatem conscripta cautione promittit: quod factum lex ista revocat et fieri penitus prohibet: ita ut, si quis creditor rem debitoris sub tali occasione visus fuerit comparare, non sibi de instrumentis blandiatur, sed quum primum voluerit ille, qui oppressus debito vendidit, pecuniam reddat et possessionem suam recipiat

interpretation. They are called commissory cautions, in which the debtor promises, by a caution drawn up in writing, to sell to his creditor a thing pledged to him for a time, by necessity; which act this law revokes and utterly prohibits to be done: so that, if any creditor shall have appeared to acquire the thing of the debtor under
such a pretext, let him not flatter himself on the instruments, but as soon as he who, oppressed by debt, sold shall wish, let him pay back the money and receive back his possession

CTh.3.3.0. De patribus, qui filios distraxerunt.

CTh.3.3.0. On fathers who have sold their sons.

CTh.3.3.1 [=brev.3.3.1]

Imppp. valentin., theodos. et arcad.

the emperors valentinian, theodosius and arcadius.

aaa. tatiano pf. p. omnes, quos parentum miseranda fortuna in servitium, dum victum requirit, addixit, ingenuitati pristinae reformentur. nec sane remunerationem pretii debet exposcere, cui non minimi temporis spatio satisfecit ingenuus.

aaa. to Tatianus, praetorian prefect. let all those whom the pitiable fortune of their parents, while seeking livelihood, consigned into servitude, be re-formed to their pristine ingenuousness. nor indeed ought he to demand remuneration of the price, he to whom the freeborn has satisfied for no small span of time.

dat. v. id. mart. mediolano, tatiano et symmacho coss.

given on the 5th day before the Ides of March at Milan, in the consulship of Tatianus and Symmachus.

interpretatio. si quemcumque* ingenuum pater faciente egestate vendiderit, non poterit in perpetua servitute durare, sed ad ingenuitatem suam, si servitio suo satisfecerit, non reddito etiam pretio, revertatur

interpretation. If a father, indigence compelling, has sold whomever* freeborn, he cannot remain in perpetual servitude, but to his own freeborn status, if he has satisfied his service, with not even the price returned, let him revert.

CTh.3.4.0. De aediliciis actionibus.

CTh.3.4.0. On aedilician actions.

CTh.3.4.1 [=brev.3.4.1]

Imppp. valentin., theodos. et arcad.

The Emperors Valentinian, Theodosius, and Arcadius.

aaa. nebridio pf. u. habito semel bonae fidei contractu mancipioque suscepto et pretio dissoluto, ita demum repetendi pretii potestas est ei, qui mancipium comparaverit, largienda, si illud, quod dixerit fugitivum, potuerit exhibere. hoc enim non solum in barbaris, sed etiam in provincialibus servis iure praescriptum est.

The Emperors to Nebridius, Prefect of the City. Once a bona fide contract has been made, and the slave received, and the price paid, only then
is the power of reclaiming the price to be granted to him who has purchased the slave, provided he can produce the one whom he has said to be a fugitive. For this
is prescribed by law not only in the case of barbarian slaves, but also of provincial slaves.

dat. iii. kal.

dated on the 3rd day before the kalends.

iul. constantinopoli, honorio n. p. et evodio v. c. coss.

July, at Constantinople, when Honorius, the most noble youth, and Evodius, a most distinguished man, were consuls.

interpretatio. quum inter emptorem* ac venditorem de mancipii pretio convenerit et fuerit conscripta venditio, nullatenus poterit revocari, nisi forte ille, qui emit mancipium, probaverit fugitivum, et tunc habebit licentiam pretium recipere, si mancipium reddiderit venditori

interpretation. when between the buyer* and the vendor it has been agreed concerning the price of the slave and the sale has been written up, it can by no means be revoked, unless perhaps he who bought the slave has proved it a fugitive, and then he will have license to receive back the price, if he has returned the slave to the seller

CTh.3.5.0. De sponsalibus et ante nuptias donationibus

CTh.3.5.0. On sponsals and donations before nuptials

CTh.3.5.1 [=brev.3.5.1]

Imp. constantinus a. ad rufinum pf. p. pater noster nullam voluit liberalitatem valere, si actis inserta non esset. nos etiam inter sponsos ac sponsas omnesque personas eam solam donationem ex promulgatae legis tempore valere sancimus, quam testificatio actorum secuta est.

The Emperor Constantine Augustus to Rufinus, Praetorian Prefect. Our father did not wish any liberality to be valid, if it had not been inserted into the acts. We also, between bridegrooms and brides and all persons, sanction that only that donation shall be valid, from the time of the promulgation of this law, which the attestation of the acts has followed.

dat. iv. id. mai. sirmio, constantino a. v. et licinio caes.

given on the 4th day before the ides of may, at sirmium, in the consulship of constantine augustus for the 5th time and licinius caesar.

coss.

consuls.

interpretatio. ante tempus legis istius donationes etiam sine gestorum testificatione valebant. nunc vero post hanc legem nec nuptialis nec quaelibet alia inter quascumque* personas donatio, de quibuscumque* rebus, valere potest, si gestis non fuerit allegata

interpretation. before the time of this law, donations even without the testification of the records were valid. but now, after this law, neither a nuptial
nor any other donation between whatever* persons, concerning whatever* things, can be valid, if it has not been entered in the records

CTh.3.5.2pr. [=brev.3.5.2.pr.]

Theodosian Code 3.5.2, preface [= Breviary 3.5.2, preface]

Idem a. ad maximum pf. u. quum veterum sententia displiceat, quae donationes in sponsam nuptiis quoque non secutis decrevit valere, ea, quae largiendi animo inter sponsos et sponsas iure celebrantur, redigi ad huiusmodi condiciones* iubemus, ut, sive in potestate patris degere sive ullo modo proprii videantur esse iuris, et tanquam futuri causa matrimonii aliquid sibi ipsi vel consensu parentum mutuo largiantur, siquidem sponte vir sortiri noluerit uxorem, id, quod ab eo donatum fuerit, nec repetatur traditum, et si quid apud donatorem resedit, ad sponsam summotis ambagibus transferatur.

The same Augustus to Maximus, prefect of the city, since the opinion of the ancients displeases, which decreed that donations to a betrothed woman should be valid even when the nuptials did not follow, we order that those things which, with the intention of largessing, are lawfully transacted between bridegrooms and brides be brought back to conditions* of this sort: that, whether they seem to be living under a father’s power or to be in any way of their own right, and as if for the sake of the future marriage they mutually bestow something upon one another either by their own decision or with the consent of the parents, if indeed the man of his own accord has been unwilling to obtain a wife, that which has been donated by him shall not be reclaimed once delivered, and if anything remained with the donor, it shall, with circumlocutions removed, be transferred to the fiancée.

CTh.3.5.2.1 [=brev.3.5.2.1]

Quod si matrimonii non contrahendi causa ab sponsa, vel in cuius agit potestate, detegatur exstitisse, tunc sponso eiusque heredibus sine aliqua deminutione redhibeatur.

But if a cause for not contracting marriage is discovered to have existed on the part of the betrothed woman, or of the one in whose power she acts, then to the betrothed man and his heirs, without
any diminution, let it be returned.

CTh.3.5.2.2 [=brev.3.5.2.2]

Quae similiter observari oportet, et si ex parte sponsae in sponsum donatio facta sit; nullis causis ulterius requirendis, ne forte mores aut origo dicatur, vel quicquam aliud opponatur, quod sibi quisquam non convenire existimat, quum longe ante, quam sponsalia contrahantur, haec cuncta prospici debuerint. sola igitur indagetur voluntas, et mutata animi sententia ad restitutionem seu repetitionem rerum donaturum sufficiat, quum universis cautionibus pulsis, nihil amplius constare debeat, nisi ut appareat, qui sibi contrahendum matrimonium dixerit displicere.

Which likewise ought to be observed, even if a donation has been made from the part of the bride to the bridegroom; with no causes to be further inquired,
lest perhaps morals or origin be alleged, or anything else be opposed, which anyone judges does not suit himself, since long before the betrothal is contracted,
all these things ought to have been foreseen. Therefore let only the will be investigated, and a changed opinion of mind should suffice for the restitution or repetition of the things
donated, since, with all cautions set aside, nothing further ought to stand, except that it appear that he who has said that a to‑be‑contracted
marriage displeases him.

CTh.3.5.2.3 [=brev.3.5.2.3]

Et quoniam fieri potest, ut moriatur alter adhuc incolumi voluntate prius, quam nuptiae contrahantur, congruum duximus, eo, in quem fuerat facta donatio, ante matrimonii diem functo, quae sponsaliorum titulo vel data vel ullo genere donata sunt, ad eum, qui donaverat, revocari: eo etiam, qui donaverat, ante nuptias mortuo, mox infirmari donationem, et ad eius heredes sine aliqua difficultate retrahi res donatas.

And since it can happen that one party dies while his will is still unimpaired before the nuptials are contracted, we have deemed it fitting that, if the one upon whom the donation had been made has passed away before the day of the marriage, the things which under the title of betrothals were either given or donated in any manner be recalled to him who had donated; likewise, if the one who had donated has died before the nuptials, the donation is forthwith to be invalidated, and the things donated to be withdrawn to his heirs without any difficulty.

CTh.3.5.2.4 [=brev.3.5.2.4]

Quod beneficium usque ad personam patris aut matris, filiorum etiam, si qui de priore matrimonio fuerint, stare decernimus, si quocumque* modo ex his persona aliqua defuncto successerit. quod si ex his nulla persona defuncti heres habetur, sed ex reliquis gradibus quisquam succedat, donationes convenit etiam non insecutis ex causa mortis nuptiis convalescere, quoniam illis tantum personis credimus consulendum. dat.

We decree that this beneficium shall remain in force up to the person of the father or mother, and also of the children, if there are any from a prior marriage, if in whatever* way some person from among these has succeeded to the deceased. but if no person from among these is held as heir of the deceased, but someone from the remaining degrees should succeed, it is proper that the donations also become valid even with the nuptials not having followed on account of death, since we believe that provision is to be made for those persons only. given.

xvii. kal. nov.

October 16.

prop. vi. kal. sstas roma, constantino a. v. et licinio caes.

posted on the 6th day before the Kalends of Sextilis (August) at Rome, under Constantine Augustus for the 5th time, and Licinius, Caesar.

coss.

consuls.

interpretatio. quoties inter sponsos et sponsas de futuris nuptiis specialiter fuerit definitum, et donationem sponsaliciae* largitatis vir in sponsam suam aut ex consensu parentum aut ipse, si sui iuris est, propria voluntate conscripserit et omni eam scripturarum solennitate firmaverit, ita ut et gesta legitime facta doceantur, et introductio locorum vel rerum traditio subsequatur: quicquid tali et tam solenni donatione ad ius dominiumque sponsae transierit, si vir sponte eam, quam depectus est factis supra scriptis solennibus chartis, accipere noluerit uxorem, omnia, quae sunt tradita, non reposcat. et si quid de nominatis tam solenniter rebus et traditis apud se habere dignoscitur, ad sponsae dominium, quam accipere noluit, sine dilatione aliqua transferatur. reliquum legis istius opus non fuit explanare, quia sequentibus legibus vacuatur

interpretation. whenever between betrothed men and betrothed women it shall have been specifically determined about future nuptials, and the man shall have written for his betrothed a deed of sponsal* largess either by the consent of the parents or himself, if he is sui iuris, by his own will, and shall have confirmed it with every solemnity of writings, such that both the acts duly performed are shown, and an introduction into the premises or a traditio (delivery) of things follows: whatever by such and so solemn a donation shall have passed to the right and dominium of the betrothed woman, if the man of his own accord shall have been unwilling to take as wife her whom he bargained for by the above-written solemn charters, let him not demand back all the things that have been delivered. and if he is recognized to have with himself anything of the things so solemnly named and delivered, let it be transferred without any delay to the dominium of the betrothed woman whom he was unwilling to take. the remainder of this law it was not necessary to explain, because it is vacated by the following laws

CTh.3.5.3 [=brev.3.5.3]

Theodosian Code 3.5.3 [= brev.3.5.3]

Idem a. valeriano agenti vicariam praefecturam. quamvis in lucro nec feminis ius ignorantibus subveniri soleat, contra aetatem adhuc imperfectam locum hoc non habere, retro principum statuta declarant. ne igitur soluta matrimonii caritate inhumanum aliquid statuatur, censemus, si futuris coniugibus tempore nuptiarum intra aetatem constitutis res fuerint donatae et traditae, non ideo eas posse revocari, quia actis consignare donationem quondam maritus noluit.

The same Augustus to Valerianus, acting as vicarian prefect. Although in matters of profit it is not customary even for females ignorant of the law to be aided, by contrast the statutes of earlier princes declare that this has no place against an age still imperfect. Therefore, lest something inhuman be established when the affection of matrimony has been dissolved, we decree that, if to future spouses at the time of the nuptials, being under age, things have been donated and delivered, they cannot for that reason be recalled, because the former husband did not wish to consign the donation to the public acts.

dat. iv. kal. mai.

given on the 4th day before the Kalends of May.

gallicano et symmacho coss.

in the consulship of gallicanus and symmachus.

interpretatio. quamquam et feminis, quae per fragilitatem interdum excusari possunt, in aliquibus causis, si negligentes fuerint, lex subvenire noluerit, hic tamen specialiter voluit esse consultum, ut, si qua in pupillaribus annis marito fuerit copulata, et sponsaliciam* largitatem per negligentiam actis non allegaverit, huius legis beneficio, etsi gesta desint, inviolabilem in suo dominio donationem noverit permanere

interpretation. Although even for women, who through fragility can sometimes be excused, in certain causes, if they have been negligent, the law has been unwilling to come to their aid, here, however, it has specially willed that provision be made, that, if any woman in pupillary years has been joined to a husband, and has not alleged the betrothal* largess in the acts through negligence, by the benefit of this law, even if the records are lacking, she shall know the donation to remain inviolable in her dominion.

CTh.3.5.4

Theodosian Code 3.5.4

Idem a. pacatiano praefecto praetorio. si is, qui puellam suis nuptiis pactus est, intra biennium exsequi nubtias supersederit eiusque spatii fine decurso in alterius postea coniunctionem puella pervenerit, nihil fraudis ei sit, quae nuptias maturando vota sua diutius ludi non passa est. dat.

The same Augustus to Pacatianus, praetorian prefect. If he who has contracted a girl for his own nuptials has refrained from carrying out the wedding within two years, and, the end of that span having elapsed, the girl has thereafter come into the conjunction of another, let there be no fraud imputed to her, who, by hastening the nuptials, did not allow her vows to be toyed with any longer. Given.

prid. id. april. marcianopoli pacatiano et hilariano conss.

the day before the Ides of April, at Marcianopolis, in the consulship of Pacatianus and Hilarianus.

(332 apr. 12).

(332 Apr. 12).

CTh.3.5.5 [=brev.3.5.4]

Theodosian Code 3.5.5 [= Breviary 3.5.4]

Idem a. ad pacatianum pf. u. patri puellae aut tutori aut curatori aut cuilibet eius affini non liceat, quum prius militi puellam desponderit, eandem alii in matrimonium tradere. quod si intra biennium, ut perfidiae reus in insulam relegetur. quod si pactis nuptiis, transcurso biennio, qui puellam desponderit, alteri eandem sociaverit, in culpam sponsi potius quam puellae referatur, nec quicquam noceat ei, qui post biennium puellam marito alteri tradidit.

The same Augustus to Pacatianus, Prefect of the City: let it not be permitted to the girl’s father, or to a tutor, or to a curator, or to any affine of hers, when he has first betrothed the girl to a soldier,
to hand over the same girl to another in matrimony. But if he does so within two years, let him be relegated to an island as guilty of perfidy. But if, the nuptials having been agreed and two years having elapsed, he who had betrothed the girl has joined the same to another, let it be referred to the fault of the fiancé rather than of the girl, nor let it at all harm him who after two years has handed over the girl to a different husband.

dat. prid. id. april.

dated the day before the ides of april (april 12).

martianopoli, pacatiano et hilariano coss.

at Martianopolis, in the consulship of Pacatianus and Hilarianus.

interpretatio. si quis aut privatus aut militans, postquam sponderit, cum patre, tutore vel curatore puellae vel propinquis de puellae coniunctione definierit, debet post definitionem intra biennium nuptias celebrare. quod si tarditate aut negligentia sponsi biennii tempus excesserit, et alio viro se puella coniunxerit, absoluta erit a calumnia, vel ipsa, vel quicumque* suorum eam tradiderit: quia culpa est illius, qui differendo coniunctionem suam alteri nubendi locum patefecit. nam si intra biennium data fuerit, quid observetur, evidentius sequente lege cognoscetur

interpretation. if anyone, either a private person or a soldier, after he has made a sponsion (betrothal), has settled with the girl's father, tutor or curator, or relatives, concerning the girl's conjunction (marital union), he ought, after the definition (settlement), to celebrate the nuptials within a two-year period (biennium). but if, through the tardiness or negligence of the bridegroom, the time of the two-year period has been exceeded, and the girl has joined herself to another man, she will be absolved from calumny, either she herself, or whoever* of her own people has handed her over: since the fault is his who, by deferring his conjunction, has opened the opportunity of marrying to another. for if she shall have been given within the two-year period, what is to be observed will be more evidently, by the following law, learned.

CTh.3.5.6pr. [=brev.3.5.5pr.]

Codex Theodosianus 3.5.6, preface. [= Breviary 3.5.5, preface.]

Idem a. ad tiberianum vicarium hispaniarum. si ab sponso rebus sponsae donatis interveniente osculo ante nuptias hunc vel illam mori contigerit, dimidiam partem rerum donatarum ad superstitem pertinere praecipimus, dimidiam ad defuncti vel defunctae heredes, cuiuslibet gradus sint et quocumque* iure successerint, ut donatio stare pro parte media et solvi pro parte media videatur: osculo vero non interveniente, sive sponsus sive sponsa obierit, totam infirmari donationem et donatori sponso sive heredibus eius restitui.

The same Augustus to Tiberianus, Vicar of the Spains. If, after the fiancé has given gifts to the fiancée, with a kiss intervening, before the nuptials it should happen that he or she dies
we prescribe that one half of the donated things pertains to the survivor, and one half to the heirs of the deceased man or woman,
of whatever degree they are and by whatever* right they have succeeded, so that the donation may be seen to stand as to one half and be dissolved as to one half; but with no kiss
intervening, whether the bridegroom-to-be or the bride-to-be has died, the entire donation is to be invalidated and restored to the donor, the fiancé, or to his heirs.

CTh.3.5.6.1 [=brev.3.5.5.1]

Quod si sponsa, interveniente vel non interveniente osculo, sponsaliorum titulo, quod raro accidit, fuerit aliquid sponso largita, et ante nuptias hunc vel illam mori contigerit, omni donatione infirmata, ad donatricem sponsam sive eius successores donatarum rerum dominium transferatur. dat. id. iul.

But if the bride, whether with a kiss intervening or not intervening, under the title of betrothal—which rarely happens—has largessed anything to the bridegroom, and before marriage it happens that this one or that dies, with every donation invalidated, the ownership of the donated things shall be transferred to the donor bride or to her successors. Given on the Ides of July.

constantinopoli. accepta xiiii. kal.

at constantinople. received on the 14th day before the kalends.

mai. hispali, nepotiano et facundo coss.

may. at hispalis, nepotianus and facundus, consuls.

interpretatio. si quando sponsalibus celebratis, interveniente osculo, sponsus aliquid sponsae donaverit, et ante nuptias sponsus forsitan moriatur, tunc puella, quae superest, mediam donatarum solenniter rerum portionem poterit vindicare, et dimidiam mortui heredes acquirunt, quocumque* per gradum successionis ordine venientes. si vero osculum non intervenerit, sponso mortuo nihil sibi puella de rebus donatis vel traditis poterit vindicare. si vero a puella sponso aliquid donatum est, et mortua fuerit, quamvis aut intercesserit aut non intercesserit osculum, totum parentes puellae sive propinqui, quod puella donaverat, revocabunt

interpretation. if ever, the betrothal having been celebrated, with a kiss intervening, the bridegroom has donated something to the bride, and before the nuptials the bridegroom should perhaps die, then the girl who survives will be able to claim half of the things solemnly donated, and the heirs of the deceased acquire the half, coming by whatever* degree of the order of succession. but if a kiss has not intervened, the bridegroom being dead, the girl will be able to claim nothing for herself from the things donated or delivered. but if something has been donated by the girl to the bridegroom, and she has died, although whether a kiss has intervened or has not intervened, the girl's parents or kinsmen will revoke the whole of what the girl had donated

CTh.3.5.7

.... dumtaxat servata oblatio habeat integrum robur, etsi nulla se testationi fides adcommodavit actorum; quippe satis est idoneus testium convocatorum in haec vota conventus: dummodo in ceteris universis donationibus secundum constituta divi patris nostri actorum confectio requiratur. dat. v id. iv agrippinae amantio et albino conss.

.... provided that the oblation, once performed, has unimpaired force, even if no faith has been accommodated to an attestation of the acts; for a suitable convocation of witnesses convened for these vows is sufficient: provided only that in all other donations the formal execution of the records be required according to the constitutions of our deified father. Given on the 5th day before the Ides of April at Agrippina, when Amantius and Albinus were consuls.

(345 iun. 9 vel iul. 11).

(345 June 9 or July 11).

CTh.3.5.8

Imp. iulianus a. ad hypatium vicarium urbis romae. quotiens sponsae in minori constitutae aetate futurae coniugi aliqua collata in praediis italicis vel stipendiariis seu tributariis intercedente stipulatione donantur, largitas perpeti firmitate subsistat, etiamsi traditionis sollemnitas defuisse videatur, ita tamen, ut etiam in his donationibus, quae in minores conferuntur, actorum confectio omnifariam flagitetur.

The Emperor Julian Augustus to Hypatius, Vicar of the City of Rome. Whenever to a bride constituted in minority, the future wife, certain things conferred in estates
Italian or stipendiary or tributary, with a stipulation interceding, are donated, let the largess subsist with perpetual firmness, even if the solemnity of tradition
seems to have been lacking, provided, however, that even in these donations which are conferred upon minors, the drawing up of the acts in every respect
be demanded.

dat. viiii k. mart. antiochiae iuliano a. iiii et sallustio conss.

Given on the 9th day before the Kalends of March, at Antioch, in the consulship of Julian Augustus for the 4th time and Sallustius, consuls.

(363 febr. 21).

(363 Feb. 21).

CTh.3.5.9

Theodosian Code 3.5.9

Imppp. valentinianus, valens et gratianus aaa. ad probum praefectum praetorio.

emperors valentinian, valens and gratian, augusti, to probus, praetorian prefect.

multa ante nuptias sponsaliorum nomine pro sollemnitate traduntur, quae nequaquam in damnum debent dantis accrescere, sed mortua in matrimonio puella ad dantis commodum revocari, veteri scilicet iure neglecto. patris igitur explosa persona propinquorumque his personis, quae ante coeptum matrimonium videntur optulisse, incunctanter ea redhiberi oportet. dat.

Many things before the nuptials are delivered under the name of sponsals for the solemnity, which ought by no means to accrue to the loss of the giver, but, with the girl having died in marriage, to be recalled to the giver’s advantage, the old law, to be sure, being set aside. Therefore, the person of the father and of the relatives being excluded, it is proper that those things be redelivered without delay to those persons who seem to have offered them before the marriage was begun. Given.

iii id. iul. treviris valentiniano et valente aa. conss. (368?

13 july, at trier, under the consulship of the emperors valentinian and valens. (368?

370? 373? iul.

370? 373? jul.

13).

CTh.3.5.10

Imppp. gratianus, valentinianus et theodosius aaa. ad.... (380/1...).

Emperors gratianus, valentinianus and theodosius, Augusti, to.... (380/1...).

CTh.3.5.11pr. [=brev.3.5.6pr.]

CTh.3.5.11 preface [=brev.3.5.6 preface].

Imppp. grat., valentin. et theodos.

The emperors Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius.

aaa. eutropio pf. p. patri, matri, tutori vel cuicumque*, ante decimum puellae annum datis sponsalibus, quadrupli poenam remittimus, etsi nuptiae non sequantur. et si interea puella decesserit, sponsalia iubemus sponso restitui.

The Emperors to Eutropius, Praetorian Prefect. For a father, mother, tutor, or whoever*, who has arranged sponsals before the girl’s tenth year, we remit the penalty of quadruple damages, even if the nuptials do not follow. And if meanwhile the girl has died, we order the sponsals to be restored to the bridegroom.

CTh.3.5.11.1 [=brev.3.5.6.1]

Quod si decimo anno vel ultra pater quisve alius, ad quem puellae ratio pertinet, ante duodecim annos, id est usque ad undecimi metas, suscepta crediderit pignora esse retinenda, deinceps adventante tempore nuptiarum a fide absistens quadrupli fiat obnoxius.

But if in the tenth year or beyond the father, or anyone else to whom the girl’s management pertains, before twelve years, that is, up to the metes of the eleventh,
shall have believed that the accepted pledges are to be retained, thereafter, as the time of the nuptials approaches, by withdrawing from his faith he shall become liable to quadruple.

CTh.3.5.11.2 [=brev.3.5.6.2]

Viduae autem ratio diversa est, cui auxilium non suffragatur aetatis, scilicet ut ea, matrimonium non implens, ad quadruplum ex veteri constitutione teneatur.

But the condition of a widow is different, for whom the aid of age does not lend support, namely that she, not fulfilling the marriage, is held to quadruple from the ancient
constitution.

CTh.3.5.11.3 [=brev.3.5.6.3]

Duodecimo autem anno impleto quisquis de nuptiis paciscitur, si quidem pater, semet ipsum obliget, sive mater curatorve aut alii parentes, puella fiat obnoxia.

However, with the twelfth year completed, whoever bargains concerning nuptials—if indeed it is the father, let him bind himself; or if it is the mother or a curator, or other parents,
let the girl become liable.

CTh.3.5.11.4 [=brev.3.5.6.4]

Cui quidem contra matrem, tutorem, curatorem eumve parentem actio ex bono et aequo integra reservetur eorum pignorum, quae ex propriis, iuxta poenam iuris, reddiderit facultatibus, si ad consensum accipiendarum arrarum ab his se ostenderit fuisse compulsam. dat. xv. kal.

To her indeed there shall be reserved, against the mother, the tutor, the curator, or that parent, an action on good faith and equity, kept entire, for the pledge-securities which she shall have repaid out of her own resources, according to the penalty of the law, if she shall have shown that she was compelled by them to consent to the acceptance of earnest-money. given on the 15th day before the Kalends.

iul. thessalonica, gratiano a. v. et theodos. a. i. coss.

jul. thessalonica, with gratian augustus for the 5th time and theodosius augustus for the 1st time as consuls.

interpretatio. pater vel mater puellae, aut si pater defuerit, tutor, curator vel aliquis ex propinquis, si, antequam decimum annum puella contingat, de nuptiis pacti fuerint et sponsalia susceperint, si postea mutata voluntate renuere voluerint, quem prius susceperant, non addicuntur ad quadruplum, sed ea tantum, quae sunt suscepta, restituant: nam et si puella mortua fuerit, hoc tantum, quod acceperant, reddunt. sin vero iam puella decimum agens annum usque ad undecimum plenum susceptas arras vel ipsa vel parentes, tutores curatoresve tenuerint, id observandum est, ut, si fidem placiti mutare voluerint et illum renuant, cuius sponsalia suscepit, ad quadrupli poenam sine dubio teneatur persona, quaecumque* de puellae nuptiis placitum fecit.

interpretation. the father or mother of the girl, or if the father is absent, a tutor, curator, or someone from among the relatives, if, before the girl reaches the tenth year, they shall have made a pact concerning the nuptials and shall have undertaken the sponsals, if afterward, with their will changed, they shall wish to refuse the one whom they had previously undertaken, they are not adjudged to the quadruple, but let them restore only those things which have been undertaken: for even if the girl shall have died, they return only that which they had received. but if indeed already the girl passing her tenth year up to the full eleventh, the arras received—whether she herself or the parents, tutors, or curators—shall have held, this is to be observed: that, if they shall wish to change the faith of the compact and refuse him whose sponsals she undertook, the person—whoever* made the compact concerning the girl’s nuptials—without doubt is held to the penalty of the quadruple.

quod si antequam annus undecimus compleatur, pignora suscepta reddiderint, nullam de susceptis arris calumniam pertimescant. nam si vidua fuerit, nihil per aetatem poterit excusare, si animum alibi diverterit et priorem sponsum renuere voluerit. tunc quaecumque* suscepit sponsaliorum titulo, in quadruplum reddat.

but if before the eleventh year is completed,
they have returned the pledges accepted, let them fear no calumny concerning the arras received. For if she is a widow, she will be able to excuse nothing by reason of age, if
she has turned her mind elsewhere and has wished to refuse her former betrothed. Then whatever* she has received under the title of betrothals, let her repay fourfold.

puella vero post duodecimum aetatis suae annum, si pater de nuptiis illius aliud facere voluerit, quam promisit, ad quadrupli poenam et ipse tenendus est. si pater mortuus est, et de nuptiis puellae mater, tutor aut curator aut propinquus aliquis definierit, et puella alteri nubere maluerit, ipsa sponso priori de propriis facultatibus satisfaciat in quadruplum, quod accepit: hac tamen condicione* servata, ut postmodum contra praedictas personas agere possit, si illius arras, quem renuit, illis cogentibus invita suscepit

but the girl, after the twelfth year of her age, if her father should wish to do other than he promised concerning her nuptials, he himself also is to be held to the penalty of quadruple. if the father has died, and concerning the girl’s nuptials the mother, a tutor or a curator or some kinsman has determined, and the girl has preferred to marry another, she herself shall satisfy the prior betrothed in quadruple from her own faculties for what she received: with this condition, however, maintained, that thereafter she may be able to proceed against the aforesaid persons, if she accepted the arras of the one whom she refused, being unwilling under their compulsion.

CTh.3.5.12 [=brev.3.5.7]

Impp. honor. et theodos.

The Emperors Honorius and Theodosius.

aa. ad marinianum pf. p. post alia: si pater pactum de filiae nuptiis inierit et humana sorte consumptus* ad vota non potuerit pervenire, id inter sponsos firmum ratumque permaneat, quod a patre docebitur definitum, nihilque permittatur habere momenti, quod cum defensore, ad quem minoris commoda pertinebunt, docebitur fuisse transactum. periniquum est enim, ut contra patriam voluntatem redempti* forsitan tutoris aut curatoris admittatur arbitrium, quum plerumque etiam ipsius feminae adversus commoda propria inveniatur laborare consilium etc. dat.

the augusti to marinianus, praetorian prefect. after other things: if the father shall have entered a pact concerning his daughter’s nuptials and, consumed by the human lot, shall not have been able to arrive at the vows,
let that remain firm and ratified between the betrothed which shall be shown to have been determined by the father, and let nothing be permitted to have force which shall be shown to have been transacted with the defender, to whom the interests of the minor will pertain.
for it is most inequitable that, against the paternal will, the arbitration of a tutor or curator perhaps bought-off be admitted, since very often even the woman’s own plan is found to labor against her own interests, etc. given.

iv. non. nov. ravenna, dd. nn. honorio xiii.

on the 4th day before the Nones of November, at Ravenna, by our lords, Honorius, 13.

et theodos. x. aa. coss.

and Theodosius 10, the Augusti, consuls.

interpretatio. ubi de coniunctione filiae patris sententia fuerit definitum, si humano casu, antequam puella iungatur, mortuus fuerit pater, mutari placitum nulla poterit ratione, nec habebit puella licentiam aliud faciendi, etiamsi mater aut tutor aut curator vel propinqui alium fortasse voluerint suscipere, quam pater elegit. sed patris promissio circa sponsum, quem ipse suscepit, firma permaneat: nec ipsi puellae suo consilio contra voluntatem patris aliud velle ulla ratione permittitur

interpretation. where, concerning the conjunction of a daughter, the father’s decision has been defined, if by human chance, before the girl is joined, the father should have died, the decree cannot by any reason be changed, nor will the girl have license to do anything else, even if the mother or a tutor or a curator or relatives should perhaps wish to undertake another (husband) than the one the father chose. but let the father’s promise concerning the betrothed (sponsus), whom he himself undertook, remain firm: nor is it permitted by any reason for the girl herself, by her own counsel, to will anything else against the father’s will

CTh.3.5.13 [=brev.3.5.8]

Impp. theodos. et valentin.

The Emperors Theodosius and Valentinian.

aa. hierio pf. p. post alia: si donationis instrumentum ante nuptias actorum solennitate firmatum sit, de traditione, utrum nuptias antecesserit an secuta sit vel penitus praetermissa, minime perquiratur: in illa donatione, quae in omnibus intra ducentorum solidorum est quantitatem, nec actorum confectione quaerenda. haec enim commoda nec mariti fraude, nec successorum eius improbitate, nec scrupulositate iuris, si et imperite vel callide rerum offerendarum in dotem habeat donatio mentionem, denegari uxoribus deceptis patimur vel his, qui in earum iura succedunt, sed a marito vel ab heredibus eius exacta restitui; illa manente lege, quae minoribus aetate feminis etiam actorum testificatione omissa, si patris auxilio destitutae sint, iuste consuluit etc. dat.

the emperors to Hierius, praetorian prefect. after other matters: if the instrument of a donation, before the nuptials, has been confirmed by the solemnity of the acts, concerning
delivery (tradition), whether it preceded the nuptials or followed or was entirely omitted, let there be no inquiry at all: and in the case of that donation which in all respects is within the amount of 200 solidi, the making of the acts is not to be required. for these advantages we allow not to be denied to deceived wives, nor to those who succeed to their rights, either by the husband’s fraud, or by the wickedness of his successors, or by the scrupulosity of the law, even if the donation, unskillfully or craftily, has mention of the things to be offered into the dowry, but to be exacted in restoration from the husband or from his heirs; with that law remaining in force, which has justly provided for females under age, even with the attestation of the acts omitted, if they are deprived of a father’s aid, etc. given.

x. kal. mart. constantinopoli, tauro et felice coss.

the 10th day before the Kalends of March, at Constantinople,
under the consuls Taurus and Felix.

interpretatio. si donatio sponsalicia* ante nuptias gestis inseritur, etiamsi res donata non traditur, non potest infirmari. in illa vero donatione, cuius summa infra ducentorum solidorum pretium invenitur, etiamsi gesta defuerint, nulla feminis poterit sub quacumque* calliditate aut obiectione calumnia commoveri, sed qualiscumque* cum die et tempore scriptura sufficiet. et ideo seu illa donatio, quae sine traditione gestis habetur inserta, seu illa, quae infra ducentorum solidorum summam consistit, nullis calumniarum argumentis in aliquo vacuentur, sed a marito vel ab heredibus eius feminis iubentur exacta restitui: illo tamen beneficio legis circa eas feminas, quae in minoribus annis defuncto patre nuptae sunt, permanente, ut de quantalibet summa fuerit conscripta donatio, etiamsi gestis allegata non fuerit, omni firmitate subsistat

interpretation. if a sponsal donation* before the nuptials is inserted in the records, even if the donated thing is not delivered, it cannot be invalidated. but in that donation whose amount is found below the price of 200 solidi, even if the records are lacking, no calumny can be stirred up against women under any* craftiness or objection, but a writing of whatever kind* with the day and time will suffice. and therefore whether that donation which, without delivery, is held inserted in the records, or that which consists below the sum of 200 solidi, shall not in any respect be vacated by any arguments of calumny, but are ordered to be exacted and restored to the women by the husband or by his heirs: yet with that benefit of the law remaining in force concerning those women who, their father having died, were married in their minority, that the donation, of whatever amount it has been written, even if it has not been adduced in the records, shall subsist with full validity

CTh.3.5.14

Theodosian Code 3.5.14

.....Ion.O akindunon einai thn parabas[in] th mnhsth kai tw mnhsthri all en tw g bibliw tou veodosianou kwdikoj titlw ie h ie tou titlou diatacij kratunei taj peri sustasewj twn gamwn poenas kai mexri tou diploi.

.....Interpretation.It is not without danger to commit the transgress[ion] against the betrothed woman and the betrother; but in the third book of the Theodosian Code, in title 15 or 15 of the title, the disposition strengthens the penalties concerning the constitution of marriages even up to the double.

CTh.3.6.0. Si provinciae rector vel ad eum pertinentes sponsalia dederint.

CTh.3.6.0. If the governor of a province, or those pertaining to him, have contracted betrothals.

CTh.3.6.1 [=brev.3.6.1]

Imppp. grat., valentin. et theodos.

The Emperors Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius.

aaa. eutropio pf. p. post alia: si quis in potestate publica positus atque honore administrandarum provinciarum, qui parentibus aut tutoribus aut curatoribus aut ipsis, quae matrimonium contracturae sunt, potest esse terribilis, sponsalia dederit, iubemus, ut deinceps, sive parentes sive eaedem mutaverint voluntatem, non modo iuris laqueis liberentur poenaeque expertes sint, quae quadruplum statuit, sed extrinsecus data pignora lucrativa habeant, si ea non putent esse reddenda. quod ita late patere volumus, ut non solum circa administrantes, sed et circa administrantium filios, nepotes, propinquos, participes domesticosque censeamus, quibus tamen administrator operam dederit.

aaa. to Eutropius, praetorian prefect, after other things: if anyone placed in public power and in the honor of administering
provinces, who can be terrible to parents or tutors or curators or to the very women who are about to contract matrimony,
should have given sponsals, we order that henceforth, whether the parents or these same women have changed their will, not only they be freed from the snares of the law and be exempt from the penalty
which sets the fourfold, but that they have the pledges given from without as lucrative gain, if they do not think these ought to be returned. Which we wish
to extend so broadly that we judge it to apply not only with respect to administrators, but also with respect to the administrators’ sons, grandsons, kinsmen, partners, and domestics,
to whom nevertheless the administrator shall have given his service.

impleri autem id postea matrimonium non vetamus, quod tempore potestatis ob eas personas, de quibus locuti sumus, arris fuerat obligatum, si sponsarum consensus accedat. dat. xv. kal.

However, we do not forbid that matrimony to be afterwards completed, which during the time of power, on account of
those persons of whom we have spoken, had been obligated by arras, if the consent of the betrothed women be added. Given on the 15th day before the Kalends.

iul. thessalonica, dd. nn. gratiano a. v. et theodos. a. i. coss.

july. thessalonica, our lords.
gratian augustus for the 5th time and theodosius augustus for the 1st time, consuls.

interpretatio. iudex provinciae cuiuslibet vel quicumque* in administratione constitutus, si habeant aliqui adultos secum filios in praedicto honore positi aut propinquos vel qui ipsis in consortio administrationis videntur adiuncti, si per potestatem aut comminando parentibus aut terrendo forte tutores sive curatores vel ipsas quoque puellas sponsaliorum nomine aut arrarum ad obligandam cuiuslibet domum aliqua dederint, si contra hanc voluntatem aut parentes aut ipsae puellae resultare voluerint, habeant liberam facultatem renuere, quod ita suscepisse videntur. nec poenam sibi noverint quadrupli exigendam, sed etiam ea, quae sub terrore visae sunt accepisse, in lucrum suum, si voluerint, retinebunt, nec constringi possunt, nisi forte ex suo arbitrio reddere voluerint. nam si post administrationem aut parentum aut puellarum circa eos, qui sponsalia dederint, voluntas nubendi permanserit, sequatur electa coniunctio

interpretation. the judge of any province, or whoever is established in an administration, if some have with them adult sons placed in the aforesaid honor, or kinsmen, or those who seem to be joined to them in consortium of the administration, if by power or by threatening the parents, or by frightening perchance the tutors or curators, or even the girls themselves, they have given something under the name of sponsals or of arrhae to bind any household, if either the parents or the girls themselves should wish to recoil against this will, let them have free faculty to refuse that which they seem thus to have undertaken. nor let them suppose that a penalty of fourfold is to be exacted of them, but even those things which they seem to have received under terror they will retain to their profit, if they wish, nor can they be constrained, unless perchance they should wish of their own judgment to render them. for if after the administration the will of marrying shall have remained either of the parents or of the girls toward those who have given the sponsals, let the chosen conjunction follow

CTh.3.7.0. De nuptiis.

CTh.3.7.0. On marriages.

CTh.3.7.1pr. [=brev.3.7.1pr.]

CTh.3.7.1, preface [=brev.3.7.1, preface]

Imppp. valentin., valens et grat. aaa.

Emperors Valentinian, Valens, and Gratian, Augusti.

ad senatum. viduae intra vicesimum et quintum annum degentes etiamsi emancipationis libertate gaudent, tamen in secundas nuptias non sine patris sententia conveniant aut in oppignerationem. cessent itaque sequestres atque interpretes, taciti nuntii renuntiique corrupti.

to the senate.
widows living under the twenty-fifth year, even if they rejoice in the liberty of emancipation, nevertheless are not to enter into second nuptials without the father’s judgment, or into pledging.
let sequesters and interpreters cease, the silent messengers and the corrupt reporters.

nuptias nobiles nemo redimat, nemo sollicitet, sed publice consulatur affinitas, adhibeatur frequentia procerum.

let no one redeem noble nuptials, let no one solicit them, but let affinity be consulted publicly, let there be brought in
the attendance of the nobles.

CTh.3.7.1.1 [=brev.3.7.1.1]

Theodosian Code 3.7.1.1 [= Breviary 3.7.1.1]

Quod si in condicionis* delectu mulieris voluntas certat sententiae propinquorum, placet admodum, ut in pupillarum coniunctionibus sanctum est, habendo examini auctoritatem quoque iudiciariae cognitionis adiungi, ut, si pares sunt genere ac moribus petitores, is potior aestimetur, quem sibi consulens mulier approbaverit.

But if, in the selection of a match, the woman’s will contends with the judgment of her kinsmen, it is very much approved—just as has been sanctified in the unions of female wards—that to the examination to be held there be adjoined the authority also of judicial cognition, so that, if the petitioners are equal in lineage and morals, he be deemed preferable whom the woman, consulting for herself, shall have approved.

CTh.3.7.1.2 [=brev.3.7.1.2]

Sed ne forte hi, qui gradu proximo ad viduarum successiones vocantur, etiam honestas nuptias impediant, si huius rei suspicio processerit, eorum volumus auctoritatem iudiciumque succedere, ad quos, etiamsi fatalis sors intercesserit, tamen hereditatis commodum pervenire non possit. dat. xvii.

But lest perhaps those who, in the next degree, are called to the successions of widows also impede honorable marriages, if a suspicion of this matter shall have arisen,
we will that the authority and judgment pass to those to whom, even if the fatal lot (death) should intervene, nevertheless the benefit of the inheritance cannot come.
Given 17.

kal. aug. gratiano a. ii. et probo v. c. coss.

on the Kalends of August, when Gratian Augustus for the 2nd time and Probus, a most distinguished man, were consuls.

interpretatio. viduae intra vicesimum et quintum annum si fuerint constitutae et adhuc vivis patribus, tametsi emancipatione acquisierint libertatem, si ad secundas nuptias venire voluerint, noverint coniunctionem suam in patrum potestate, non in propria voluntate consistere, et eorum electione, non quorumcumque* amicorum aut familiarium sequendum esse consensum. si vero patres mortui sunt, nec sic quoque ex suo singulariter arbitrio nubendi habeant potestatem, sed pro honestate coniunctionis iudicium sequendum est propinquorum.

interpretation. widows, if they are within the twenty-fifth year and with fathers still living, although by emancipation they may have acquired liberty, if they shall have wished to come to second nuptials, let them know that their conjunction rests in the fathers’ power, not in their own will, and that it is their choice to be followed, not the consent of whatever* friends or household-members. but if the fathers are dead, not even thus do they have the power of marrying by their own singular judgment, but, for the honorableness of the conjunction, the judgment of the kinsmen is to be followed.

quod si duo petitores exstiterint, consulendi sunt quidem parentes, nec praetermittendus est etiam iudex, qui voluntatem feminae pro honestiore dumtaxat* parte prospiciat. nec illis tantum propinquis praestet assensum, qui suspicione hereditatis utuntur, qui forte, dum nuptias differunt, pro successione hereditatis mulieris mortem exspectare videntur: sed illorum magis, si talis condicio* intercedit, electio sequenda est, qui nihil possunt de ipsius hereditate conquirere

But if two suitors have appeared, the parents must indeed be consulted, nor should the judge also be passed over, who should look to the woman’s will, only* in respect to the more honorable course.
Nor should assent be afforded to those relatives only who are under suspicion of inheritance, who perhaps, while they defer the nuptials, seem to be awaiting the woman’s death for the succession to the inheritance:
but rather, if such a condition* intervenes, the choice is to be followed of those who can acquire nothing from her inheritance.

CTh.3.7.2 [=brev.3.7.2]

Imppp. valentin., theodos. et arcad.

The Emperors Valentinian, Theodosius, and Arcadius.

aaa. cynegio pf. p. ne quis christianam mulierem in matrimonium iudaeus accipiat, neque iudaeae christianus coniugium sortiatur. nam si quis aliquid huiusmodi admiserit, adulterii vicem commissi huius crimen obtinebit, libertate in accusandum publicis quoque vocibus relaxata.

to cynegius, praetorian prefect. let no jew receive a christian woman in matrimony, nor let a christian obtain a marriage with a jewess. for if anyone has admitted anything of this sort, the crime of this committed act will hold the place of adultery, with liberty in accusing relaxed even to public voices.

dat. prid. id. mart.

dated the day before the Ides of March.

thessalonica, theodos. a. ii. et cynegio v. c. coss.

thessalonica, theodosius augustus 2 and cynegius, a most distinguished man, consuls.

interpretatio. legis huius severitate prohibetur, ut nec iudaeus christianae matrimonio utatur, nec christianus homo iudaeam uxorem accipiat. quod si aliqui contra vetitum se tali coniunctioni miscuerint, noverint se ea poena, qua adulteri damnantur, persequendos, et accusationem huius criminis non solum propinquis, sed etiam ad persequendum omnibus esse permissam

interpretation. By the severity of this law it is prohibited, that neither a Jew make use of a Christian marriage, nor a Christian man take a Jewish woman as wife. But if any, against the interdiction, shall have mingled themselves in such a conjunction, let them know that they are to be pursued with that penalty with which adulterers are condemned, and that the accusation of this crime is permitted for prosecution not only to relatives, but also to all.

CTh.3.7.3 [=brev.3.7.3]

Impp. theodos. et valentin.

The Emperors Theodosius and Valentinian.

aa. hierio pf. p. si donationum ante nuptias vel dotis instrumenta defuerint, pompa etiam aliaque nuptiarum celebritas omittatur, nullus aestimet, ob id deesse recte alias inito matrimonio firmitatem, vel ex eo natis liberis iura posse legitimorum auferri, si inter pares honestate personas, nulla lege impediente, fiat consortium, quod ipsorum consensu atque amicorum fide firmatur etc. dat. x. kal.

The Emperors to Hierius, Praetorian Prefect. If the instruments (documents) of ante-nuptial donations or of the dowry should be lacking, let the pomp and the other celebrity (celebration) of the nuptials also be omitted; let no one suppose that on that account validity is lacking to a marriage otherwise rightly entered, or that the rights of the legitimate can be taken away from children born therefrom,
if a consortium (union) is made between persons equal in honor, with no law impeding, which is confirmed by their consent and by the faith of friends,
etc. Given on the 10th day before the Kalends.

mart. constantinopoli, felice et tauro coss.

march, at constantinople, in the consulship of felix and taurus.

interpretatio. si occasio talis emerserit, ut nuptiae solennitate debita careant, aut etiam donationes sponsaliciae* fieri aut dos celebrari non possit, sed convenientibus animis se matrimonio copulaverint, sufficiet aequalibus personis conveniens electio atque consensus, sic tamen, ut conscientia intercedat amicorum, et tunc, si ita res cesserit, et coniunctio stabilis et filii legitimi probabuntur

interpretation. if such an occasion should arise that the nuptials lack the due solemnity, or even that sponsal donations* cannot be made or the dowry be effected,
but with concordant minds they have joined themselves in marriage, a fitting choice and consent will suffice for persons of equal status, thus
however, that the cognizance of friends intercede; and then, if the matter so turns out, both the union will be stable and the children will be deemed legitimate

CTh.3.8.0. De secundis nuptiis.

CTh.3.8.0. On second marriages.

CTh.3.8.1 [=brev.3.8.1]

Imppp. grat., valentin. et theodos.

the emperors gratian, valentinian, and theodosius.

aaa. eutropio pf. p. si qua ex feminis perdito marito intra anni spatium alteri festinaverit iam nubere (parvum enim temporis post decem menses servandum adiicimus, tametsi id ipsum exiguum putemus), probrosis inusta notis, honestioris nobilisque personae et decore et iure privetur, atque omnia, quae de prioris mariti bonis vel iure sponsaliorum vel iudicio defuncti coniugis consecuta fuerat, amittat et sciat, nec de nostro beneficio vel annotatione sperandum sibi esse subsidium. dat.

aaa. to eutropius, praetorian prefect. if any of the women, with her husband lost, within the space of a year hastens now to marry another (for we add a small amount of time to be observed after ten months, although we deem that very thing scant), branded with disgraceful marks, let her be deprived of both the decorum and the right of a more honorable and noble person, and let her lose everything that she had obtained from the goods of her prior husband either by the right of betrothal or by the judgment of her deceased spouse, and let her know that she must not hope for assistance for herself from our beneficence or annotation. given.

iii. kal. iun.

May 30.

constantinopoli, eucherio et syagrio coss.

at constantinople, eucherius and syagrius, consuls.

interpretatio. mulier, quae post mortem mariti intra annum alteri viro nupserit, sciat se infamiae subiacere et notabilem usque adeo reddi, ut quaecumque* sponsalicia* largitate percepit, vel si per testamentum ipsi aliquid prior maritus donavit, amittat, et totum illius filiis cedat: si filii non fuerint, illis profuturum personis, qui priori marito gradu proximiori iunguntur et hoc sibi per successionem poterunt vindicare

interpretation. a woman, who after the death of her husband within a year shall have married another man, should know that she is subject to infamy and is made notable to such a degree
as to be rendered, that whatever* sponsalicial* largess she received, or if by testament the prior husband gave anything to her, she shall lose, and all of his
shall cede to his sons: if there are no sons, it will be of benefit to those persons who are joined to the prior husband in a nearer degree and this for themselves through succession
will be able to vindicate

CTh.3.8.2pr. [=brev.3.8.2pr.]

CTh.3.8.2pref. [=brev.3.8.2pref.]

Iidem aaa. floro pf. p. feminae, quae susceptis ex priori matrimonio filiis ad secundas transierint nuptias, quicquid ex facultatibus priorum maritorum sponsaliorum iure, quicquid etiam nuptiarum solennitate perceperint, quicquid aut mortis causa donationibus factis aut testamenti iure directo aut fideicommissi vel legati titulo vel cuiuslibet munificae liberalitatis praemio ex bonis maritorum fuerint assecutae, id totum, ita ut perceperint, integrum ad filios, quos ex praecedenti coniugio habuerint, transmittant vel ad quemlibet ex filiis (dummodo ex his tantum, quos tali successione dignissimos iudicamus), in quem contemplatione meritorum liberalitatis suae iudicium mater crediderit dirigendum. nec quicquam eaedem feminae ex iisdem facultatibus abalienandi in quamlibet extraneam personam vel successionem ex alterius matrimonii coniunctione susceptam praesumant, atque habeant potestatem possidendi tantum in diem vitae, non etiam abalienandi facultate concessa.

The same emperors to Florus, Praetorian Prefect. Women who, having had sons from a prior marriage, pass over to second nuptials, whatever from the resources of their prior husbands by the right of betrothals, whatever also they have received by the solemnity of nuptials, whatever either by donations causa mortis having been made or by the direct law of a testament, or under the title of a fideicommiss or a legacy, or by the reward of any munificent liberality they shall have obtained from the goods of their husbands, all that, just as they have received it, intact, they shall transmit to the sons whom they have from the preceding union, or to whichever of the sons (provided only from those whom we judge most worthy of such a succession), to whom, in contemplation of merits, the mother shall have believed her judgment of liberality ought to be directed. Nor let these same women presume to alienate anything from the same resources to any outsider person or to a succession undertaken from the conjunction of another marriage, and let them have the power of possessing only for the day of life, with no faculty of alienating granted.

nam si quid ex iisdem rebus per fraudem scaevioris animi in alium quemlibet fuerit a possidente translatum, maternarum redintegrabitur compensationibus facultatum, quo illibata ad hos, quos statuimus, heredes bona et incorrupta perveniant.

for if anything from those same things should have been, through the fraud of a more perverse mind, transferred by the possessor to any other person, it shall be reintegrated by compensations of the maternal faculties, so that the goods may come to those heirs whom we have established, unsullied and uncorrupted.

CTh.3.8.2.1 [=brev.3.8.2.1]

Illud etiam addimus legi, ut, si aliquis ex iisdem filiis, quos ex priore matrimonio susceptos esse constabit, forte decesserit, qui sorores vel sororem, non etiam fratrem relinquens, senatusconsulti beneficio matri simul ac sororibus successionis locum fecisse videatur, seu etiam filia, quae, nullo exsistente fratre et superstitibus matre ac sororibus tantum, adeundae hereditatis locum matri pro dimidia portione servabit, quod successionis beneficio mater videbitur consecuta, in diem vitae pro sibi debita portione sola tantum possessione delata, omne his, qui supererunt ex priore suscepti matrimonio, filiis relinquat, nec super istiusmodi facultatibus testandi in quamlibet aliam extraneam personam vel quicquam abalienandi habeat potestatem.

We also add this to the law: that, if any of those same children, who shall be established to have been begotten from the prior marriage, should by chance have died, leaving sisters or a sister, but not also a brother, he shall be seen, by the benefit of the senatorial decree, to have made a place of succession for the mother together with the sisters, or even if it be a daughter,
who, with no brother existing and with only the mother and sisters surviving,
shall preserve for the mother the place of entering upon the inheritance for a half portion—
which the mother will be seen to have obtained by the benefit of succession—possession alone only being conferred for the day of her life for the portion owed to herself—
let her leave all to these sons who survive, begotten from the prior marriage, and let her have no power of making a will over such assets in favor of any other extraneous person or of alienating anything.

CTh.3.8.2.2 [=brev.3.8.2.2]

Quod si nullam ex priore matrimonio habuerit successionem, vel natus native decesserint, omne, quod quoquomodo percepit, pleni proprietate iuris obtineat, atque ex iis nanciscendi dominii et testandi, circa quem voluerit, liberam habeat potestatem.

But if he shall have had no succession from the prior marriage, or if the son or grandson shall have died, everything which he has in any way received, let him hold in full
proprietorship of right, and from these let him have free power of acquiring dominion and of testating with respect to whom he will.

CTh.3.8.2.3 [=brev.3.8.2.3]

Similiter etiam admoneri maritos volumus et pietatis et legis exemplo quos, etsi vinculo non adstringimus, velut impositae severius sanctionis, religionis tamen iure cohibemus, ut sciant id a se promptius sperari contemplatione iustitiae, quod necessitate propositae observationis matribus imperatur: ne, si ita necessitas persuaserit, circa eorum personam subsidio sanctionis exigi ab eis oporteat, quod optari interim sperarique condeceat. dat. xv. kal.

Similarly we also wish husbands to be admonished by the example both of piety and of law, whom, although we do not bind by a bond, as though by the imposition of a sterner sanction,
yet we restrain by the right of religion, so that they may know that that is more readily to be hoped for from them by a contemplation of justice, which, by the necessity of the prescribed
observance, is commanded to mothers: lest, if necessity so persuades, it should be needful, with the aid of a sanction, to exact from them, concerning their person, that which it is fitting
in the meantime to be desired and to be hoped. given on the 15th day before the Kalends.

iun. constantinopoli, antonio et syagrio coss.

jun. at constantinople, antonius and syagrius, consuls.

interpretatio. mulieres, quae amissis maritis ad alias postea nuptias legitimo tempore, id est expleto anno, venerint, si ex priori marito filios habuerint, quicquid per sponsaliciam* largitatem vel nuptiarum tempore consecutae sunt, totum filiis conservabunt, nec in alias vel extraneas personas noverint transferendum. quicquid vero prior maritus per testamentum seu fideicommissum seu legati titulo vel mortis causa uxori donaverit, de his rebus, quas tali mulier donatione percepit, seu omnibus filiis seu in unum pro merito servitii si conferre voluerit, habebit liberam facultatem, ita ut ei de bonis prioris mariti a filiis ipsius quicquam alienare non liceat.

interpretation. women who, their husbands having been lost, come to other nuptials afterwards at the legitimate time, that is, with a year completed, if from the prior husband they shall have had children, whatever through sponsalicial* largess or at the time of the nuptials they have obtained, they shall preserve the whole for the children, nor shall they allow it to be transferred into other or extraneous persons. whatever indeed the prior husband has given to the wife by testament or by fideicommiss or under the title of a legacy or mortis causa, of those things which such a woman has received by such donation, whether upon all the children or upon one alone in proportion to the merit of service, if she shall wish to confer it, she shall have free faculty, provided that it is not permitted to her to alienate anything of the goods of the prior husband from his children.

quod si praesumpserit*, de propriis facultatibus noverit compensandum. hoc specialius huic legi credidit inserendum, ut mulieri, quum ad alias nuptias venerit, si de filiis, quos ex matrimonio priore susceperat, masculus moriatur, eo casu, ut matrem et sorores aut certe sororem superstitem dimittat et fratrem non dimittat, qui matrem possit excludere, tunc beneficio legis mater cum filiabus vel filia aequali sorte succedat. si vero filia moriatur et matrem et sorores tantum dimittat, dimidiam defunctae filiae hereditatem mater acquirat, et media sororibus, seu una seu plures sint, proficiat: ea tamen ratione, ut dum advixerit mater, acquisitam ex hac filii aut filiae medietatem tantummodo in usufructu possideat, et reliquis, si supererunt ex priore matrimonio, filiis post obitum derelinquat, ad alias personas in transferendo nec per testamentum, nec per donationem habitura licentiam.

but if she should presume it*,
she shall know that it must be compensated from her own faculties. He believed this ought to be inserted more specifically into this law: that for a woman, when she shall have come to other nuptials, if
of the children whom she had received from the prior marriage a male should die, in the case that he leaves surviving his mother and sisters, or at least a sister,
and leaves no brother who could exclude the mother, then by the benefit of the law the mother with the daughters, or the daughter, shall succeed in equal lot. But if a daughter
should die and leave only her mother and sisters, the mother shall acquire half of the deceased daughter’s inheritance, and the half shall go to the sisters, whether they be one or
more: on this condition, however, that while the mother shall live, she possess the half acquired from this son or daughter only in usufruct,
and that she leave it after her death to the remaining children, if there shall survive any from the prior marriage, having no license to transfer to other persons either by
testament or by donation.

cui mulieri si de priore marito filii non supersint, tunc quaecumque*, quae sub hac occasione percepit, sibi velut propriam vindicet facultatem et in quemcumque* voluerit, iure transmittat. in hac etiam lege similem et patribus mortuis uxoribus condicionem*, si ad alias nuptias venerint, voluit observari, ut, si de priore uxore filii vel filiae fuerint, ex quibus aliqui moriantur, et in suam portionem locum patri faciant, post illis obitum fratribus vel sororibus, qui supererunt de ipso coniugio, portio relicta proficiat, nec poterit per patriam potestatem ad alias transire personas

For such a woman, if children from the prior husband do not survive, then whatever things, which under this occasion she has received, let her claim for herself as property as if her own, and by right transmit to whomever she wishes. in this law also he wished a similar condition to be observed for wives of fathers who have died, if they should come to other marriages, that, if from the prior wife there shall have been sons or daughters, of whom some die, and in their portion make room for the father, after their death the portion left shall accrue to the brothers or sisters who survive from that very conjugal union, nor shall it be able, through paternal power, to pass over to other persons

CTh.3.8.3 [=brev.3.8.3]

Theodosian Code 3.8.3 [= Breviary 3.8.3]

Impp. honor. et theodos.

The Emperors Honorius and Theodosius.

aa. ioanni pf. p. nulli videatur ambiguum, eorum, quae nuptiarum tempore mulieres accipiunt, etiamsi ad secundas nuptias, exstantibus ex priore matrimonio liberis, emenso tempore forte migraverint, in diem vitae usumfructum circa eas debere durare, salva iis proprietate, quibus ius integrum post earum obitum leges sacratissimae reservarunt, ut manifestum est, quod delatum ex priori coniugio liberis constat. dat. x. kal.

The Emperors to John, the Praetorian Prefect. Let it be ambiguous to no one that, of the things which women receive at the time of nuptials, even if,
with children existing from the prior marriage, they should by chance pass to second nuptials after time has elapsed, the usufruct with respect to these ought
to last for life, ownership being preserved to those for whom the most sacred laws have reserved the full right after their death, as is manifest, since it is established
that what was conferred belongs to the children from the prior union. Given on the 10th day before the Kalends.

iul. ravenna, dd. nn. honorio ix. et theodos. v. aa. coss.

July, at Ravenna, when our lords the emperors Honorius for the 9th time and Theodosius for the 5th were consuls.

interpretatio. notissimum valde est, has facultates, quas tempore nuptiarum mulieres a maritis accipiunt, suo dominio vindicare: et si maritum mori contigerit, qui tamen filios derelinquat, et post transacta luctus tempora legitime ad alias nuptias venerint, in diem vitae suae donatarum rerum teneant usumfructum. post obitum vero earum ad prioris mariti filios omnia revertantur, nec exinde aliquid matribus vivis filiis in aliorum iura transferre permissum est

interpretation. it is very well-known that women claim to their own dominion those assets which, at the time of the nuptials, they receive from their husbands: and if it should befall that the husband dies, who nevertheless leaves sons, and after the periods of mourning have elapsed they lawfully come to other nuptials, they hold the usufruct of the things donated for the duration of their life. but after their death let all revert to the sons of the former husband, nor thereafter is it permitted for the sons, while their mothers are alive, to transfer anything into the rights of others

CTh.3.9.0. Si secundo nupserit mulier, cui maritus usumfructum reliquerit.

CTh.3.9.0. If a woman, to whom her husband has left the usufruct, marries a second time.

CTh.3.9.1 [=brev.3.9.1]

Impp. arcad. et honor.

The Emperors Arcadius and Honorius.

aa. asterio comiti orientis. aperta definitione signamus, longe aliud esse, quod de rebus ante nuptias a nostra mansuetudine constitutum est, aliud, quod de iis, quae ex patrimonio proprio vir suo arbitrio ad usumfructum uxori dereliquit. nam in eo usufructu, quem vir extremam constituens voluntatem de rebus propriis uxori dimiserit, statim post secundas nuptias mulieri volumus imminere iacturam, secundum eam legem, quae de hoc articulo non dubitatur emissa: de usufructu vero rerum ante nuptias donatarum ea servari, quae saluberrima lex anterior plena definitione decrevit.

The Augusti, to Asterius, Count of the East. By a clear definition we mark that what has been established by our clemency concerning things before the nuptials is far different from what concerns those things which, from his own patrimony, a husband, at his own discretion, has left to his wife for usufruct. For in that usufruct which a husband, constituting his last will, has assigned to his wife from his own property, we will that the woman immediately upon second nuptials incur a loss, according to that law which, concerning this article, is without doubt promulgated; but as to the usufruct of things given before the nuptials, let those provisions be observed which the earlier most salutary law decreed with a full definition.

dat. xvi. kal.

Given on the 16th day before the Kalends.

mart. constantinopoli, honorio a. iv. et eutychiano coss.

march, at constantinople, honorius augustus for the 4th time and eutychianus, consuls.

interpretatio. clara interpretatione has duas sententias explanavit, ut praeter sponsaliciam* donationem, si maritus moriens de patrimonio suo usumfructum reliquit uxori, iuxta voluntatem eius relicta possideat, ita ut si mulier postea alio viro nupserit, mox usumfructum ex testamento acquisitum filiis eius refundat, a quo usumfructum fuerat consecuta: usumfructum vero de sponsalicia* largitate usque ad obitum suum, sicuti superius alia lex locuta est, merito retinebit: unde haec ipsa post obitum matris ad illius mariti filios, qui donavit, proprietas reditura est

interpretation. By a clear interpretation he explained these two provisions, that, besides the sponsalicial* donation, if a husband, dying, has left from his patrimony a usufruct to his wife, the widow may possess it according to his wish, such that if the woman afterwards marries another man, she must forthwith refund to his sons the usufruct acquired from the testament, from the one from whom she had obtained the usufruct: but the usufruct from the sponsalicial* largess she will deservedly retain until her own death, just as another law above has spoken; whence this very ownership, after the mother’s death, is to return to the sons of that husband who made the donation

CTh.3.10.0. Si nuptiae ex rescripto petantur.

CTh.3.10.0. If marriage is sought by rescript.

CTh.3.10.1 [=brev.3.10.1]

Impp. honor. et theodos.

The Emperors Honorius and Theodosius.

aa. theodoro pf. p. quidam, vetusti iuris ordine praetermisso, obreptione precum nuptias, quas se intelligunt non mereri, de nobis aestimant postulandas, se habere puellae consensum confingentes. quapropter tale sponsalium genus praesentis legis definitione prohibemus. si quis igitur contra hanc definitionem nuptias precum surreptione meruerit, amissionem bonorum et poenam deportationis subiturum se esse non ambigat, et amisso iure matrimonii, quod prohibita usurpatione meruerit, filios se iuste hac ratione susceptos non habiturum, nec umquam* postulatae indulgentiae annotationisve principis indulto efficacem se veniae effectum meruisse: exceptis his, quos consobrinorum, hoc est quarti gradus, coniunctionem lex triumphalis memoriae patris nostri, exemplo indultorum, supplicare non vetavit, exceptisque his, qui parentum sponsionem de nuptiis filiarum impleri desiderant, vel sponsalia, hoc est arrarum data nomine, reddi sibi praecepto legum cum quadrupli poena deposcunt.

The Emperors to Theodorus, Praetorian Prefect. Certain persons, with the order of the ancient law passed over, by surreption of petitions consider that marriages—which they understand they do not deserve—ought to be requested from us, feigning that they have the maiden’s consent. Wherefore we prohibit such a kind of betrothal by the definition of the present law.
If anyone therefore, contrary to this definition, shall have obtained marriages by surreption of petitions, let him not doubt that he will undergo loss of goods and the penalty of deportation, and, the right of the marriage—which he shall have obtained by forbidden usurpation—being lost, that he will not have children rightly conceived on this reckoning, nor ever* that, by an indulgence sought or by an annotation of the emperor, he has earned an effective result of pardon: excepting those whom the law of our father of triumphal memory, by the example of indults, did not forbid to supplicate for the union of cousins, that is of the fourth degree, and excepting those who desire the pledge of parents concerning the marriages of their daughters to be fulfilled, or who demand that the sponsalia, that is the arrhae (earnest‑money) given by name, be returned to them with a penalty of fourfold by precept of the laws.

nos enim peti de nobis nuptias supplicatione prohibemus, quas deceat de voluntate parentum vel de ipsis adultis puellis aut mulieribus impetrari. nam si negato coniugio, quod fuerat ante promissum, lis aliqua legum praecepto nascatur, de iure nos consuli non vetamus. dat.

for we forbid that marriages be sought from us by supplication, which it befits to be obtained by the will of the parents or from the adult girls themselves or women. for if, upon the marriage being denied which had previously been promised, some lawsuit should arise by the precept of the laws, we do not forbid that we be consulted on the law. given.

kal. febr. ravenna, dd. nn. honorio viii.

on the Kalends of February, at Ravenna, of our lords, Honorius, 8.

et theodos. iii. aa. coss.

and
theodosius 3 augusti consuls.

interpretatio. fit aliquoties a quibusdam, ut obliti severitatem legum, obrepere principis audeant maiestati et coniugia sibi expetant ex praecepto, quae consequi non merentur, ut de consensu parentum vel puellae mentiantur: qua de causa huiusmodi audaciam interdicit. quicumque* ergo sub tali obreptione matrimonium se obtinere putaverit, et amissione bonorum et exsilii relegatione se noverit esse damnandum: nec matrimonium, quod taliter quaesierit, habiturum, nec filios tali ordine et ambitione susceptos legitimos appellandos: nec etiam per supplicationem huius praesumptionis* veniam promereri.

interpretation. It happens at times with certain persons that, forgetful of the severity of the laws, they dare to insinuate themselves upon the majesty of the prince and to demand marriages for themselves by precept, which they do not deserve to obtain, so that they lie about the consent of the parents or of the girl: for which cause it interdicts such audacity. Whoever* therefore, under such surreption, shall have supposed himself to obtain a marriage, let him know that he is to be condemned with the loss of goods and with relegation into exile: nor will he have the marriage which he has sought in such a manner, nor are the children begotten in such an order and ambition to be called legitimate: nor even by supplication can he earn pardon for this presumption*.

his vero, quos in quartum gradum originis coniunctio praesumptiva* copulaverit, quia notabile est, tamen si supplicaverint, veniam relaxabit. nec his interdici, ut praeceptum expetant maiestatis, qui parentum placito copulantur. illi vero, qui, pactis sibi vivis parentibus puellis, ab ipsis puellis post parentum obitum contemnuntur, praecepti tenore in quadruplum arrarum nomine data vel donata recipiant; nam de reliquo si ante definita non fuerint, per supplicationem coniugia postulari omni severitate prohibuit.

but for those whom a presumptive conjunction has coupled within the fourth degree of origin, since it is notable, nevertheless, if they shall supplicate, he will relax pardon. nor is it interdicted to these to seek a precept of Majesty, who are coupled by the parents’ approval. those indeed who, with girls pledged to them while the parents are living, are contemned by the girls themselves after the parents’ death, by the tenor of the precept let them receive in quadruple the things given or donated under the name of arras; for as to the rest, if they shall not have been defined beforehand, he has prohibited with all severity that marriages be demanded by supplication.

ceterum si cum parentibus puellae aut cum ipsa puella quis de nuptiis pactus fuerit, et unus ex his voluerit de placitis resilire, nos ab eo, qui despicitur, consuli non vetamus. reliqua pars legis istius alibi iam habetur exposita

but if someone shall have pacted about nuptials with the girl’s parents or with the girl herself, and one
of these should wish to resile from the agreements, we do not forbid being consulted by the one who is despised. the remaining part of this law is already set forth elsewhere

CTh.3.11.0. Si quacumque* praeditus potestate nuptias petat invitae.

CTh.3.11.0. If, endowed with whatever power*, one should seek marriage from an unwilling woman.

CTh.3.11.1pr. [=brev.3.11.1pr.]

CTh. 3.11.1, preface. [= Brev. 3.11.1, preface.]

Imppp. grat., valentin. et theodos.

the emperors Gratian, Valentinian, and Theodosius.

aaa. neoterio pf. p. si quis ordinaria vel qualibet praeditus potestate circa nuptias invitis ipsis vel parentibus contrahendas, sive pupillae sive apud patres virgines sive viduae erunt sive et sui iuris viduae, denique cuiuscumque* sortis, occasione potestatis utatur, et minacem favorem suum invitis iis, quorum utilitas agitur, exhibere aut exhibuisse detegitur, hunc et mulctae librarum auri decem obnoxium statuimus, et, quum honore abierit, peractam dignitatem usurpare prohibemus: tali scilicet poena, ut, si circa honorem eum, quo male usus est, vindicandum statuti nostri sanctioni parere noluerit, semper eam provinciam, in qua sibi hoc usurpaverit, habitare per iuge biennium non sinatur.

The Emperors to Neoterius, Praetorian Prefect. If anyone endowed with ordinary power or with any power whatsoever, in matters of nuptials to be contracted against the will of the persons themselves or of their parents, whether they be wards, or virgins under their fathers, or widows, or even widows of their own right, in fine of whatever* condition,
should use the occasion of his power, and is detected to exhibit or to have exhibited his minacious favor to the unwilling, those whose advantage is at stake, we decree that such a man is liable to a mulct of ten pounds of gold, and, when he has departed from his honor, we forbid him to usurp the discharged dignity: with such a penalty,
namely, that, if he should be unwilling to obey the sanction of our statute regarding the vindicating of that honor which he misused, he shall not be permitted ever to inhabit that province in which he has usurped this for an unbroken biennium.

CTh.3.11.1.1 [=brev.3.11.1.1]

Quia tamen contra latentem malitiam praeterea quasdam domos vel quosdam parentes intelligimus muniendos, iubemus, ut, quicumque* iis et quaecumque* erit latentibus per iudicem promissis minisve tentata, ad id matrimonium, cui adspernatur, praestare consensum, confestim, contestatione proposita, cum sua suorumque domo ad iurisdictionem eius desinat pertinere: curaturis hoc uniuscuiusque civitatis vindicibus et eiusdem iudicis apparitoribus. equidem si haec pravitas ordinarii iudicis erit, universa eius domus ratio atque omnia vel civilia vel criminalia negotia, quamdiu idem in administratione fuerit, vicario competant; sin autem vicarius vel similis potestatis vim in huiusmodi contrahendo matrimonio molietur, vicissim ordinarius iudex intercessor exsistat; si erunt uterque suspecti, ad illustrem praefecturam specialiter talium domorum, quamdiu idem administraverit, tutela pertineat. dat.

Because, however, against lurking malice we understand that certain households or certain parents besides must be fortified, we order that, whoever*
of them and whatever* woman shall have been tempted by covert promises or threats through a judge to give consent to that matrimony which is spurned,
immediately, once a complaint has been lodged, together with his own household and that of his kin, shall cease to pertain to his jurisdiction: the defenders of each
city and the apparitors of that same judge shall take care of this. indeed, if this depravity will be that of the ordinary judge, the entire management of his house and all
business, whether civil or criminal, as long as he shall be in administration, shall belong to the vicarius; but if the vicarius or someone of similar power shall strive to exert force
in contracting a marriage of this kind, in turn let the ordinary judge stand forth as intercessor; if both shall be suspected, let the guardianship of such households pertain specially to the Illustrious
Prefecture, as long as he shall have administered. Given.

xv. kal. iul. thessalonica, gratiano a. v. et theodos.

June 17, at Thessalonica, when Gratian was consul for the 5th time and
Theodosius.

a. i. coss.

both Augusti, consuls.

interpretatio. si aliquis de his iudicibus, qui provincias administrant, vel etiam his, quibus civitates vel loca commissa sunt, per potentiam invitis parentibus virgines aut etiam viduas, si sui iuris sint, per potestatem ad nuptias suas addixerint, aut si pupillae sint, et earum utilitatibus obviantes per terrorem aut per quorumcumque* colludium addicantur, ut his personis, de quibus loquitur, invitae iungantur: quicumque* hoc praesumpserit*, decem pondo auri se noverit condemnandum, et in ea provincia, in qua iudex fuerit, dignitate amissa, biennio prohibeatur accedere. beneficium tamen lex ista adversus eiusmodi homines parentibus vel ipsis mulieribus, quae in suo iure sunt, vel qui minorum aetates tuentur, indulsit, ut contestationes ad alios iudices vel civitates proximas deferant et eorum patrociniis defendantur: ut, si in eadem provincia sit alia potestas, utpote si sint duo iudices, unus privata et alius dominica iura gubernans, si ab altero sub hac condicione* quaecumque* persona prematur, alterius tutela debeat defensari, aut certe ad magnificam potestatem, quae principis auribus hoc possit intimare, recurrat

interpretation. if any one of those judges who administer provinces, or even of those to whom cities or places have been entrusted, by power should, the parents being unwilling, assign virgins or even widows, if they are in their own right, by authority to their own marriages, or if they be wards, and, thwarting their interests, they are assigned through terror or through the collusion of whomever, so that to those persons of whom he speaks they are joined unwilling: whoever has presumed this, let him know himself to be condemned to ten pounds of gold, and in that province in which he has been judge, his dignity lost, let him be prohibited for a biennium to enter. nevertheless, this law has granted a benefice against men of this sort to the parents or to the women themselves who are in their own right, or to those who protect the ages of minors, that they may carry their complaints to other judges or to the nearest cities and be defended by their patronage: so that, if in the same province there is another authority, as for instance if there are two judges, one governing private rights and another the lord’s rights, if by the one under this condition any person is oppressed, he ought to be defended under the protection of the other; or certainly let him have recourse to the magnificent authority, which can intimate this to the prince’s ears.

CTh.3.12.0. De incestis nuptiis

CTh.3.12.0. On incestuous marriages

CTh.3.12.1

Impp. constantius et constans aa. ad provinciales foenices. si quis filiam fratris sororisve faciendam crediderit abominanter uxorem aut in eius amplexum non ut patruus aut avunculus convolaverit, capitalis sententiae poena teneatur.

The Emperors Constantius and Constans, Augusti, to the Phoenician provincials. If anyone should deem the daughter of his brother or sister to be made, abominably, his wife, or into her embrace should have rushed, not as a paternal or maternal uncle, let him be held to the penalty of a capital sentence.

dat. prid. kal.

dated, the day before the Kalends.

apr. antiochiae constantio iii et constante ii aa. conss.

apr. at antioch, under constantius 3
and constans 2, the augusti, consuls.

interpretatio. quicumque hominum cum fratris filia vel sororis incestam coniunctionem se habere crediderit, capitale periculum se noverit incursurum. (342 mart. 31)

interpretation. whoever of men believes himself to have an incestuous conjunction with his brother’s daughter or his sister’s daughter, let him know that he will incur capital peril. (342 Mar. 31)

CTh.3.12.2 [=brev.3.12.1]

Impp. constantinus et constans aa. et iulianus caesar ad volusianum vicarium urbis. etsi licitum veteres crediderunt, nuptiis fratris solutis ducere fratris uxorem, licitum etiam, post mortem mulieris aut divortium contrahere cum eiusdem sorore coniugium, abstineant huiusmodi nuptiis universi, nec aestiment, posse legitimos liberos ex hoc consortio procreari: nam spurios esse convenit, qui nascentur.

Emperors Constantine and Constans, Augusti, and Julian Caesar, to Volusianus, Vicar of the City. Although the ancients believed it licit, when a brother’s nuptials were dissolved, to take the brother’s wife, licit also, after the woman’s death or a divorce, to contract marriage with that same one’s sister, let all abstain from nuptials of this kind, nor let them reckon that legitimate children can be procreated from this consortium: for it is agreed that those who will be born are spurious.

dat. prid. kal.

dated, on the day before the Kalends.

mai. roma, arbetione et lolliano coss.

may. rome, arbetio and lollianus, consuls.

interpretatio. fratris uxorem ducendi vel uni viro duas sorores habendi penitus licentia denegatur; nam ex tali coniugio procreati filii legitimi non habentur

interpretation. the license of marrying a brother’s wife, or of one man having two sisters, is utterly denied; for from such a conjugal union children procreated are not held legitimate

CTh.3.12.3 [=brev.3.12.2]

Impp. arcad. et honor.

The Emperors Arcadius and Honorius.

aa. eutychiano pf. p. manente circa eos sententia, qui post latam dudum legem quoquomodo absoluti sunt aut puniti, si quis incestis posthac consobrinae suae vel sororis aut fratris filiae uxorisve vel eius postremo, cuius vetitum damnatumque coniugium est, sese nuptiis funestarit, designato quidem lege supplicio, hoc est ignium et proscriptionis, careat, proprias etiam, quamdiu vixerit, teneat facultates: sed neque uxorem neque filios ex ea editos habere credatur, ut nihil prorsus praedictis, ne per interpositam quidem personam, vel donet superstes vel mortuus derelinquat. dos, si qua forte solenniter aut data aut dicta aut promissa fuerit, iuxta ius antiquum fisci nostri commodis cedat. testamento suo extraneis nihil derelinquat, sed sive testato sive intestato legibus ei et iure succedant, si qui forte ex iusto et legitimo matrimonio editi fuerint, hoc est de descendentibus filius, filia, nepos, neptis, pronepos, proneptis, de ascendentibus* pater, mater, avus, avia, de latere frater, soror, patruus, amita.

The Augusti to Eutychianus, Praetorian Prefect. The sentence remaining in force concerning those who, after the law long since promulgated, have in whatever way been either acquitted or punished: if anyone hereafter defiles himself by incestuous nuptials with his female cousin (consobrina), or with the daughter of his sister or of his brother, or with the daughter of his wife, or finally with any woman whose marriage is forbidden and condemned, let him be free from the punishment designated by the law, that is, of fires and proscription, and let him also hold his own properties as long as he shall have lived; but let him be deemed to have neither a wife nor children born from her, so that to the aforesaid persons he may in no way at all, not even through an interposed person, either while surviving give by donation, or when dead leave by bequest. The dowry, if by chance it shall have been in due form either given or named or promised, shall, according to ancient law, cede to the benefit of our fisc. Let him leave nothing to extraneous persons by his testament; but whether testate or intestate, let those succeed to him by the laws and by right, if any shall perchance have been born from a just and lawful marriage, that is: of the descendants, son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great-grandson, great-granddaughter; of the ascendants, father, mother, grandfather, grandmother; of the collateral line, brother, sister, paternal uncle, paternal aunt.

testandi sane ita demum habeat facultatem, ut his tantum personis pro iuris ac legum, quod voluerit, arbitrio relinquat, quas succedere imperialis praecepti tenore mandavimus; ita tamen, ut hereditate defuncti penitus arceatur, si quis ex his, quos memoravimus, in contrahendis incestis nuptiis participatum atque consilium iniisse monstrabitur, successuro in locum illius, qui post eum gradum proximus invenitur. id sane, quod de viris cavimus, etiam de feminis, quae praedictorum se consortiis commaculaverint, custodiatur. memoratis vero personis non exstantibus, fisco locus pateat.

let him indeed only then have the faculty of making a testament,
that he may, at his discretion, leave what he will, according to right and laws, only to those persons whom by the tenor of the imperial precept we have commanded to succeed; nevertheless
on condition that he be utterly barred from the deceased’s inheritance, if anyone among those whom we have mentioned shall be shown to have participated and entered into counsel in contracting incestuous nuptials, with the one next in degree after him to succeed in his place. That indeed which we have provided concerning men shall also
be observed concerning women who have maculated themselves by the consortships of the aforesaid. But if the persons aforesaid are not extant, a place shall be open to the fisc.

ad cuius legis nexum et condicionem* pertinere iubemus, si qui forte iam dudum ante promulgationem huiusce legis illicitis memoratarum nuptiarum sceleribus commaculati quoquo modo latere potuerunt. dat. vi. id. dec.

we order that this pertain to the bond and condition* of this law, if any perchance long ago, before the promulgation of this same law, stained by the illicit crimes of the aforementioned marriages, have been able in any way to lie hidden.
given on the 6th day before the ides of december.

constantinopoli, arcadio iv. et honorio iii. aa. coss.

at Constantinople, Arcadius 4 and Honorius 3, Augusti, consuls.

interpretatio. post prioris legis sententiam, quae de talibus personis lata est, id praecipit observari, ut districtione legis, supplicio et proscriptione liberi, quisque ille aut sororis aut fratris filiam aut certe ulterioris gradus consobrinam aut fratris uxorem sceleratis sibi nuptiis iunxerit, huic poenae subiaceat, ut de tali consortio separetur. atque etiam si filios habuerint, non habeantur legitimi nec heredes, sed infamia sint notatae utrimque personae, ita ut possidere tantum proprias facultates principis beneficio videantur.

interpretation. after the pronouncement of the prior law, which was passed concerning such persons, it prescribes this to be observed: that, by the constraint of the law, with punishment and the proscription of the children, whoever has joined to himself by wicked nuptials either his sister’s or brother’s daughter, or certainly a cousin of a more remote degree, or his brother’s wife, shall be subject to this penalty, namely, that he be separated from such a consort. and even if they should have sons, let them not be held legitimate nor heirs, but let the persons on both sides be marked with infamy, such that they seem to possess only their own resources by the emperor’s favor.

ceterum nullum praesumant subire contractum, donandi atque testandi facultate summota: sed nec ipsis feminis, quas taliter sortiti sunt, aliquid conferant, et si etiam aliquid tempore nuptiarum sibi dederint, revocetur ad fiscum: aut etiamsi filios habuerint, non per suppositam aut per aliam personam aut per commenticiam donationem ad illos quicquam ex eorum facultate perveniat, sed ipsis mortuis ad legitimos heredes, quoscumque* gradus admittit, usque ad certum originis locum ab intestato ipsi succedunt. testandi etiam eis in his tantum personis, quibus lege concessum est, permissa potestas, ita ut ex his, quos elegerint, scribant heredes, ita tamen, ut, si qui in tali consortio consensum cum his habuisse docentur, hereditate exclusi, aliis in proximo gradu venientibus locum faciant: nam si desunt personae propinquorum, quos ad successionem vocat lex, tunc in eorum facultatibus fiscus accedat

however, let them presume to enter into no contract, the faculty of donating and of testating being removed: nor let them confer anything upon the very women whom they have thus taken; and if even at the time of the nuptials they shall have given anything to them, let it be recalled to the fisc: or even if they shall have children, let nothing of their means come to those by a substituted or by another person or by a fictitious donation; but when they themselves have died, the legitimate heirs, whatever degrees the law admits, up to a certain point of origin, succeed ab intestato. The power of testating is permitted to them also only with respect to those persons to whom it is conceded by law, such that from these, whom they shall have chosen, they may inscribe as heirs—yet so that, if any are shown to have had consent with them in such a consort, being excluded from the inheritance, they make room for others coming in the next degree: for if there are lacking persons among the kin whom the law calls to succession, then the fisc shall enter into their estate.

CTh.3.12.4 [=brev.3.12.3]

Impp. honor. et theodos.

The Emperors Honorius and Theodosius.

aa. aureliano ii. pf. p. tanquam incestum commiserit, habeatur, qui post prioris coniugis amissionem sororem eius in matrimonium proprium crediderit sortiendam; pari ac simili ratione etiam, si qua post interitum mariti in germani eius nuptias crediderit adspirandum: illo sine dubio insecuturo, quod ex hoc contubernio nec filii legitimi habebuntur, nec in sacris patris erunt, nec paternam ut sui suscipient hereditatem. dat. xvii.

The Augusti, to Aurelian 2., Praetorian Prefect: Let him be held as though he has committed incest, who, after the loss of his prior spouse, has believed that her sister should be taken into his own matrimony; by an equal and similar rationale also, if any woman, after the death of her husband, has believed she should aspire to the nuptials of his brother: with this doubtless ensuing, that from this cohabitation neither will sons be held legitimate, nor will they be in their father’s sacred rites, nor will they, as sui, take up the paternal inheritance. Given on the 17.

kal. iun. constantinopoli, dd. nn. honorio x. et theodos.

the Kalends of June at Constantinople, under our lords Honorius 10 and Theodosius.

vi. aa. coss.

6. the Augusti, consuls.

interpretatio. quaecumque* mulier sororis suae maritum post illius mortem acceperit, vel si quis ex viris, mortua uxore, sororem eius aliis nuptiis sibi coniunxerit, noverint tali consortio se esse notabiles, et filii, qui exinde fuerint procreati, ex successione excluduntur, nec inter filios habebuntur

interpretation. whatever* woman shall have taken her sister’s husband after that one’s death, or if any of the men, his wife having died, shall have joined her sister to himself in other nuptials, let them know that by such a consortship they are marked, and the sons who shall have been procreated therefrom are excluded from succession, nor will they be reckoned among the sons

CTh.3.13.0. De dotibus.

CTh.3.13.0. On dowries.

CTh.3.13.1 [=brev.3.13.1]

Impp. constantius et constans aa. ad philippum pf. p. de moribus actio ultra personam extendi non potest, nec in heredem dabitur, nec tribuetur heredi. dat.

The Emperors Constantius and Constans, Augusti, to Philip, Praetorian Prefect. The action “on morals” cannot be extended beyond the person, nor will it be given against the heir, nor
will it be bestowed upon the heir. Given.

xii. kal. oct.

12th day before the Kalends of October.

limenio et catulino coss.

Limenius and Catulinus, consuls.

interpretatio. si de moribus maritus uxorem accusat, hoc est in maleficio, in adulterio, similibus aliisque criminibus, si mortua uxor fuerit, heredes eius accusari non possunt, quia crimina cum auctore deficiunt: tamen et si maritus mortuus fuerit, quia accusabat uxorem, ab herede mariti mulier non potest accusari

interpretation. If a husband accuses his wife concerning morals—that is, for maleficium, for adultery, and for similar and other crimes—if the wife has died, her heirs cannot be accused, because crimes lapse with their author: nevertheless, even if the husband has died, since he was accusing his wife, the woman cannot be accused by the husband’s heir.

CTh.3.13.2 [=brev.3.13.2]

Imp. iulianus a. ad mamertinum pf. p. in dote reddenda et retentiones ex iure venientes et pacta, quae legibus consentanea esse monstrantur, placet, etiam ex huius sanctionis auctoritate intemerata inviolataque servari. dat.

Emperor Julian Augustus to Mamertinus, Praetorian Prefect. In the returning of a dowry and the retentions arising from law, and the pacts which are shown to be consonant with the laws, it is our pleasure that, also by the authority of this sanction, they be preserved unsullied and inviolate. Given.

iv. kal. mart. iuliano a. iv. et sallustio coss.

February 26, in the consulship of Julian, Augustus, for the 4th time, and Sallustius, consuls.

interpretatio. pacta inter maritum et uxorem, quae de dote inita sunt et cum lege concordant, haec lex sicut reliquas pactiones valere praecepit. de retentionibus vero, quia hoc lex ista non evidenter ostendit, in iure, hoc est in pauli sententiis sub titulo de dotibus requirendum aut certe in pauli responsis sub titulo de re uxoria

interpretation. the pacts between husband and wife, which have been entered into concerning the dowry and agree with the law, this law has ordered to be valid, just as the remaining pactions
but as to retentions, since this the said law does not show plainly, it is to be sought in the law, that is, in paulus’s sentences under the title on dowries,
or certainly in paulus’s responses under the title on the wife’s property

CTh.3.13.3pr. [=brev.3.13.3pr.]

Theodosian Code 3.13.3 preface [= Breviary 3.13.3 preface]

Impp. honor. et theodos.

The Emperors Honorius and Theodosius.

aa. mariniano pf. p. post alia: si constante matrimonio maritus fatali fuerit sorte consumptus*, dos, quae data dicitur vel promissa ex eius uxoris facultatibus, ad feminam revertatur, nihilque sibi ex hoc defuncti heres audeat vindicare, quod ad mulierem recurrere fecit obitus maritalis.

the augusti, to Marinianus, praetorian prefect, after other matters: if, with the marriage continuing, the husband has been consumed* by a fatal lot, the dowry, which is said to have been given or promised from his wife’s resources, shall revert to the woman, and let the heir of the deceased dare to claim nothing for himself from this, since the marital death has made it return to the woman.

CTh.3.13.3.1 [=brev.3.13.3.1]

Et si fortasse constante matrimonio a marito uxori dos refusa est, quod legibus stare non potest, quia donationis instar perspicitur obtinere, eadem uxore defuncta marito ab eius heredibus cum fructibus ex die refusae dotis restituatur, ita ut proprietas eiusdem a liberis ex eadem susceptis alienari a marito non possit etc. dat. iv. non.

And if perhaps, the marriage continuing, the dowry has been returned by the husband to the wife, which cannot stand by the laws, because it is perceived to obtain the likeness of a donation, with that same wife deceased, let it be restored to the husband by her heirs with fruits from the day of the refunded dowry, such that the ownership of the same cannot be alienated by the husband from the children begotten from that same [wife], etc. given 4. Nones.

nov. ravenna, honorio xiii. et theodos.

november, ravenna, under honorius 13 and theodosius.

x. aa. coss.

in the 10th consulship of the Augusti.

interpretatio. si contigerit, ut maritus uxore superstite moriatur, quaecumque* a muliere marito in dotem data fuerant, ad suum dominium femina revocabit, nec heredes defuncti mariti hoc vindicare praesumant: nam si maritus, dum adviveret, hoc ipsum, quod a muliere in dote perceperat, fortasse refuderit, quia similitudo donationis est refusio, nullam obtinet firmitatem. si mortua fuerit mulier, non poterunt eius heredes hoc sibimet vindicare, sed marito etiam cum fructibus hoc iubetur debere restitui: sic tamen, ut, si erunt filii, non sibi hoc, dum advixerit pater eorum, quasi ex bonis maternis vindicent, nec pater aliquid aliud nisi usumfructum exinde habere debebit, nec transferendi in aliam personam habebit liberam potestatem, sed omnia post eius obitum ad communes filios revertantur

interpretation. if it should happen that a husband dies with his wife surviving, whatever* had been given by the woman to the husband into dowry, the woman will recall to her own dominion, nor let the heirs of the deceased husband presume to vindicate this: for if the husband, while he was yet alive, perhaps refunded this very thing which he had received from the woman in dowry, since refunding is a likeness of a donation, it holds no validity. if the woman shall have died, her heirs will not be able to vindicate this for themselves, but it is ordered that this be restored to the husband even with the fruits: nevertheless thus, that, if there will be children, they should not vindicate this for themselves, while their father lives, as if from the maternal goods, nor ought the father to have anything from it except the usufruct, nor will he have free power of transferring it to another person, but let all after his death return to the common children

CTh.3.13.4 [=brev.3.13.4]

Impp. theodos. et valentin.

Emperors Theodosius and Valentinian.

aa. hierio pf. p. post alia: ad exactionem dotis, quam semel praestari placuit, qualiacumque* sufficere verba censemus, etiamsi dictio vel stipulatio in pollicitatione rerum dotalium minime fuerit subsecuta etc. dat. x. kal.

the emperors to hierius, praetorian prefect. after other matters: for the exaction of the dowry, which it has been decided should be rendered once, we deem that words of whatever kind* suffice, even if a dictio or stipulation has not at all followed upon the pollicitation of dotal goods, etc. given on the 10th day before the kalends.

mart. constantinopoli, felice et tauro coss.

in March, at Constantinople, felix and taurus consuls.

interpretatio. ad implendam vel exigendam dotem, hoc est, quae a muliere tempore nuptiarum viro datur, etiamsi desit stipulatio promittentis et verba iuridica, dos valere iubetur

interpretation. for the fulfilling or exacting of the dowry, that is, what is given by the woman to the man at the time of the nuptials, even if the stipulation of the promiser and the juridical words are lacking, the dowry is ordered to be valid

CTh.3.14.0. De nuptiis gentilium.

CTh.3.14.0. On the nuptials of gentiles.

CTh.3.14.1 [=brev.3.14.1]

Impp. valentin. et valens aa. ad theodosium magistrum equitum.

The Emperors Valentinian and Valens, Augusti, to Theodosius, Master of the Horse.

nulli provincialium, cuiuscumque* ordinis aut loci fuerit, cum barbara sit uxore coniugium, nec ulli gentilium provincialis femina copuletur. quod si quae inter provinciales atque gentiles affinitates ex huiusmodi nuptiis exstiterint, quod in iis suspectum vel noxium detegitur, capitaliter expietur. dat.

let there be no marriage for any of the provincials, of whatever* order or place he may be, with a barbarian wife,
nor shall any provincial female be coupled to any of the gentiles. But if any affinities between provincials and gentiles shall have arisen from marriages of this sort,
whatever is detected in them as suspect or noxious shall be expiated capitally. Given.

v. kal. iun. valentin.

5th day before the Kalends of June. Valentinian.

et valente aa. coss.

and Valens, the Augusti, consuls.

interpretatio. nullus romanorum barbaram cuiuslibet gentis uxorem habere praesumat, neque barbarorum coniugiis mulieres romanae in matrimonio coniungantur. quod si fecerint, noverint se capitali sententiae subiacere

interpretation. let none of the Romans presume to have a barbarian wife of whatever nation, nor let Roman women be joined in matrimony to the marriages of barbarians. but if they do, let them know that they are subject to the capital sentence

CTh.3.15.0. De fideiussoribus dotium.

CTh.3.15.0. On sureties of dowries.

CTh.3.15.1 [=brev.3.15.1]

Impp. theodos. et arcad.

The Emperors Theodosius and Arcadius.

aa. martiniano comiti orientis. omnium sponsorum vel fideiussorum deinceps in cavenda dotis sponsione promissiones absolvimus. dat.

The Augusti to Martinianus, Count of the East. We absolve the promises of all sponsors or fideiussors henceforth in the suretyship (sponsio) for securing a dowry. Given.

iv. id. nov. constantinopoli, arcadio a. ii. et rufino coss.

4th day before the Ides of November, at Constantinople, Arcadius Augustus for the 2nd time and Rufinus, consuls.

interpretatio. si quis implendae dotis causa pro muliere fideiussor accesserit, pro hac fideiussione non teneatur obnoxius

interpretation. if anyone, for the sake of fulfilling the dowry, has acceded as a surety for a woman, he is not to be held liable for this suretyship

CTh.3.16.0. De repudiis.

CTh.3.16.0. On Repudiations.

CTh.3.16.1 [=brev.3.16.1]

Imp. constantinus a. ad ablavium pf. p. placet, mulieri non licere propter suas pravas cupiditates marito repudium mittere exquisita causa, velut ebrioso aut aleatori aut mulierculario, nec vero maritis per quascumque* occasiones uxores suas dimittere, sed in repudio mittendo a femina haec sola crimina inquiri, si homicidam vel medicamentarium vel sepulcrorum dissolutorem maritum suum esse probaverit, ut ita demum laudata omnem suam dotem recipiat. nam si praeter haec tria crimina repudium marito miserit, oportet eam usque ad acuculam capitis in domo mariti deponere, et pro tam magna sui confidentia in insulam deportari.

The Emperor Constantine Augustus to Ablavius, Praetorian Prefect: it pleases us that a woman is not permitted, on account of her own depraved desires, to send repudiation to her husband with a contrived pretext, as that he is a drunkard or a gambler or a womanizer, nor indeed that husbands dismiss their wives on whatsoever occasions; but in the sending of a repudiation by a woman let only these crimes be inquired into, if she shall have proved that her husband is a homicide or a poisoner or a violator of sepulchers, so that only then, being commended, she may receive all her dowry. For if, besides these three crimes, she shall have sent repudiation to her husband, she must leave in the husband’s house everything down to the little hairpin of her head, and for so great a presumption about herself she is to be deported to an island.

in masculis etiam, si repudium mittant, haec tria crimina inquiri conveniet, si moecham vel medicamentariam vel conciliatricem repudiare voluerit. nam si ab his criminibus liberam eiecerit, omnem dotem restituere debet et aliam non ducere. quod si fecerit, priori coniugi facultas dabitur, domum eius invadere et omnem dotem posterioris uxoris ad semet ipsam transferre pro iniuria sibi illata.

in males also, if they send a repudiation,
it will be proper that these three crimes be inquired into, if he shall have wished to repudiate as an adulteress or a poisoner or a procuress. for if he shall have cast out one free from these
crimes, he ought to restore the whole dowry and not take another. but if he shall have done so, to the prior spouse permission will be given to invade his house and to transfer to herself all the dowry of the later wife, for the injury inflicted upon her.

dat. iii. non.

dated 3. before the Nones.

mai. basso et ablavio coss.

May. Bassus and Ablavius, consuls.

interpretatio. certis rebus et probatis causis, inter uxorem et maritum repudiandi locus patet; nam levi obiectione matrimonium solvere prohibentur. quod si forte mulier dicat maritum suum aut ebriosum aut luxuriae deditum, non propterea repudiandus est, nisi forte eum aut homicidam aut maleficum aut sepulcri violatorem esse docuerit, quibus criminibus convictus sine culpa mulieris merito videtur excludi, et mulier recepta dote discedit: nam si haec crimina mulier non potuerit approbare, hac poena mulctatur, ut et dotem, quam dederat vel pro ipsa data fuerat, et donationem, quam percepit, amittat atque etiam exsilii relegatione teneatur.

interpretation. For certain matters and proven causes, between wife and husband a place for repudiating lies open; for they are prohibited from dissolving a marriage on a slight objection. But if by chance the woman says that her husband is either a drunkard or given over to luxury, he is not on that account to be repudiated, unless perhaps she has shown him to be either a homicide, or a malefactor, or a violator of a tomb; upon being convicted of which crimes, without the woman’s fault, he rightly seems to be excluded, and the woman departs with the dowry received: for if the woman shall not have been able to prove these crimes, she is mulcted with this penalty, that both the dowry which she had given or had been given on her behalf, and the donation which she received, she lose, and she also be held under relegation to exile.

quod si a viro mulier repellatur, nec ipse, nisi certis criminibus ream docuerit, pro levi, ut assolet, iurgio repudiare non permittitur, nisi fortasse adulteram aut maleficam aut conciliatricem eam probare sufficiat. quod si docere non potuerit, dotem mulieri restituat et aliam ducere non praesumat uxorem. quod si forte tentaverit, habebit mulier liberam facultatem, quae innocens eiecta est, domum mariti sui atque omnem eius substantiam sibimet vindicare.

But if a woman is driven away by her husband,
nor is he permitted, unless he shall have shown her guilty on definite crimes, to repudiate on account of a slight, as is usual, quarrel, unless perhaps it should suffice to prove her an adulteress or
a malefic (sorceress) or a procuress (conciliatrix). But if he cannot prove this, let him restore the dowry to the woman and let him not presume to lead another
wife. But if perchance he should attempt it, the woman, who being innocent has been cast out, shall have free faculty to claim to herself her husband’s house and all his
substance (estate).

quod dignoscitur ordinatum, ut etiam secundae uxoris dotem repudiata iniuste mulier iubeatur acquirere

which is recognized to have been ordained, that the woman unjustly repudiated be ordered to acquire even the dowry of the second wife.

CTh.3.16.2pr. [=brev.3.16.2pr.]

Imppp. honor., theodos. et constantius aaa.

the emperors honorius, theodosius, and constantius, the augusti.

palladio pf. p. mulier, quae repudii a se dati oblatione discesserit, si nullas probaverit divortii sui causas, abolitis donationibus, quas sponsa perceperat, etiam dote privetur, deportationis addicenda suppliciis: cui non solum secundi viri copulam, verum etiam postliminii ius negamus. sin vero morum vitia ac mediocres culpas mulier matrimonio reluctata convicerit, periura dotem donationemque viro refundat, nullius umquam* penitus socianda coniugio: quae ne viduitatem stupri procacitate commaculet, accusationem repudiato marito iure deferimus. restat, ut, si graves causas atque involutam magnis criminibus conscientiam probaverit, quae recedit, dotis suae compos, sponsalem quoque obtineat largitatem, atque a repudii die post quinquennium nubendi recipiat potestatem; tunc enim videbitur sui magis viri id exsecratione quam alieni appetitione fecisse.

to palladius, praetorian prefect. a woman who has departed by the tendering of a repudiation given by herself, if she shall have proven no causes of her divorce, with the donations which the betrothed girl had received abolished, let her also be deprived of the dowry, being consigned to the punishments of deportation: to her we deny not only the union with a second husband, but even the right of postliminium. but if indeed the woman, resisting marriage, shall have established faults of character and moderate offenses, as perjured let her refund the dowry and the donative to the husband, to be fully joined in marriage to no one ever*, and, lest she stain her widowhood with the wantonness of sexual defilement (stuprum), we by law grant an accusation to the repudiated husband. it remains that, if she who withdraws shall have proven grave causes and a conscience entangled with great crimes, let her be possessor of her own dowry, let her also obtain the sponsal largess, and from the day of the repudiation, after five years, let her receive the power of marrying; for then she will seem to have done this more from execration of her own husband than from desire for another.

CTh.3.16.2.1 [=brev.3.16.2.1]

Sane si divortium prior maritus obiecerit ac mulieri grave crimen intulerit, persequatur legibus accusatam impetrataque vindicta et dote potiatur, et suam recipiat largitatem et ducendi mox alteram liberum sortiatur arbitrium. si vero morum est culpa, non criminum, donationem recipiat et dotem relinquat, aliam post biennium ducturus uxorem. quod si matrimonium solo maluerit separare dissensu, nullisque vitiis peccatisque gravetur exclusa, et donationem vir perdat et dotem, ac perpetuo coelibatu insolentis divortii poenam de solitudinis moerore sustineat, mulieri post anni metas nuptiarum potestate concessa.

Surely, if the prior husband has alleged divorce and has brought a grave charge against the woman, let him prosecute the accused by the laws and, punishment having been obtained, let him also obtain the dowry,
and let him recover his largess and acquire the free choice of soon marrying another. But if the fault is of morals, not of crimes,
let him receive back the donation and leave the dowry, being about to lead another wife after two years. But if he has preferred to separate the marriage by mere dissent alone,
and the woman, being excluded, is burdened with no vices and sins, let the man lose both the donation and the dowry, and let him sustain, in perpetual celibacy, the penalty of an insolent divorce by the grief of solitude,
marital power having been granted to the woman after the bounds of a year.

CTh.3.16.2.2 [=brev.3.16.2.2]

Super retentionibus autem dotium propter liberos iuris antiqui praecepimus cauta servari. dat. vi. id. mart.

Moreover, concerning the retentions of dowries on account of children, we have prescribed that the safeguards of the ancient law be observed. given on the 6th day before the Ides of March.

ravenna, eustathio et agricola coss.

ravenna, eustathius and agricola
consuls.

interpretatio. si mulier prior repudium marito intulerit et statutas lege non docuerit causas, amittat sponsaliciam largitatem, nec repetat, quod marito in dotem dedit, atque insuper exsilio relegata nec nubendi locum habeat nec ad propria revertendi. nam si leves culpas edocuerit, quibus divortium videatur appetere, et dote careat et donationem refundat, neque alteri viro nubendi habeat potestatem.

interpretation. if a woman first brings repudiation against her husband and does not show the causes stipulated by law, let her lose the sponsal largess, and let her not reclaim,
what she gave to her husband as dowry; and, moreover, being relegated into exile, let her have neither leave to marry nor to return to her own. for if she shall have set forth light faults, on account of which she seems to seek divorce, let her both be without the dowry and refund the donation, nor have the power of marrying another man.

si vero postea maritum dimittens adulterio se forte miscuerit, maritus etiam post repudium habeat licentiam persequendi. quod si mulier, quae discedit, in virum gravia crimina et certa probaverit, et dotem revocabit et quod ei maritus in sponsaliciam largitatem contulerat, vindicabit et post quinquennium nubendi habebit liberam facultatem. nam si maritus repudium prior intulerit, probatis causis, vindicta percepta expulsae uxoris dotem vindicet donationemque recipiat et continuo, si voluerit, aliam ducat uxorem: nam si crimina certa non fuerint, sed, ut solet fieri, femina morum levitate displiceat, maritus donationem suam revocet et illi, quicquid ab ea perceperat, mox refundat et post biennium aliam ducat uxorem.

but if indeed afterwards, dismissing her husband, she should by chance have mingled herself in adultery, the husband, even after the repudiation, shall have license to prosecute. but if the woman who departs shall have proven against the man serious and certain crimes, she shall both recall the dowry and claim what the husband had conferred upon her as sponsal largess, and after five years she shall have free faculty of marrying. for if the husband shall have first brought the repudiation, the causes having been proved, retribution having been exacted, let him claim the dowry of the expelled wife and receive back the donation, and immediately, if he wishes, let him take another woman as wife: for if certain crimes shall not have been, but, as is wont to happen, the woman displeases by lightness of morals, let the husband revoke his donation and to her, whatever he had received from her, soon refund, and after two years let him take another wife.

quod si nec morum culpa docebitur, et sola est dissensio animorum, mulier, quae innocens expulsa est a marito, et donationem a viro factam sibi vindicet et suam dotem revocet; ille vero in perpetuum solitarius permanebit, nec praesumat alterius mulieris coniugio sociari: mulier vero post annum ad aliud coniugium, si voluerit, transire permittitur. propter communes vero liberos, si fuerint, ea praecepit observari, quae in iure de retentionibus statuta pro numero filiorum, quod paulus in libro responsorum dicit sub titulo de re uxoria

but if neither a fault of morals shall be demonstrated, and the dissension of souls alone exists, the woman who, innocent, has been expelled by her husband shall both vindicate for herself the donation made to her by the man and recall her own dowry; but he shall remain solitary in perpetuity, nor presume to be joined in marriage with another woman: the woman, however, after a year is permitted, if she will, to pass over to another marriage. on account of their common children, moreover, if there shall be any, it has prescribed that those things be observed which in the law are established concerning retentions according to the number of children, which Paulus in the book of Responses says under the title On the uxorial matter.

CTh.3.17.0. De tutoribus et curatoribus creandis.

CTh.3.17.0. On tutors and curators to be appointed.

CTh.3.17.1 [=brev.3.17.1]

Imp. constantinus a. et caes. ad bassum pf. p. in universis litibus placet non prius puberem iustam habere personam, nisi interposito decreto aut administrandi patrimonii gratia aut ad litem fuerit curator datus; ut iuxta praecedentia nostrae provisionis statuta legitime initiatae litis agitatae in iudiciis controversiae finiantur.

the emperor constantine, augustus, and the caesars, to bassus, praetorian prefect: in all lawsuits it is our pleasure that a pubes not earlier have legal capacity, unless, after a decree has been interposed, either for the sake of administering the patrimony or for the lawsuit a curator has been appointed; so that, according to the statutes of our preceding provision, controversies of a suit lawfully initiated and prosecuted in the courts may be brought to an end.

dat. iv. id. oct. aquileia, constantino a. v. et licinio caes.

Dated on the 4th day before the Ides of October, at Aquileia, in the consulship of Constantine Augustus (5) and Licinius Caesar.

coss.

the consuls.

interpretatio. si pupillis actio inferatur, quamvis adulti videantur, ad litem venire non possunt, nisi forte aetas eorum curiae testificatione firmetur, aut certe provisus curator patrimonium pupilli vel negotium tueatur

interpretation. If an action is brought against pupils, although they may seem adult, they cannot come to the suit, unless perhaps their age is confirmed by the testimony of the curia,
or at any rate an appointed curator may protect the pupil’s patrimony or business.

CTh.3.17.2 [=brev.3.17.2]

Idem a. et caes. ad populum. in feminis tutelam legitimam et consanguineus patruus non recuset.

The same Augustus and Caesar, to the people. As to women, let the consanguineous paternal uncle not refuse the legitimate tutelage.

dat. prid. kal.

given, on the day before the Kalends.

ian. ipso a. vii. et caes.

jan. on the very day, in the 7th consulship of the augustus himself and of the caesar.

coss. ista lex expositione non indiget.

Consuls. That law does not need exposition.

CTh.3.17.3pr. [=brev.3.17.3pr.]

Theodosian Code 3.17.3 preface [= Breviary 3.17.3 preface]

Imppp. valentin., theodos. et arcad.

the emperors valentinian, theodosius, and arcadius.

aaa. proculo pf. u. illustris praefectus urbis adhibitis decem viris e numero senatus amplissimi et praetore clarissimo viro, qui tutelaribus cognitionibus praesidet, tutores curatoresve ex quolibet ordine idoneos faciat retentari. et sane id libero iudicio expertesque damni constituent iudicantes, et si regendis pupillaribus censibus singuli creandorum pares esse non possunt, plures ad hoc secundum leges veteres conveniet advocari, ut, quem coetus ille administrandis negotiis pupillorum dignissimum iudicarit, sola sententia obtineat praefecturae.

The Augusti to Proculus, the most illustrious Urban Prefect: with ten men taken from the number of the most ample Senate and the praetor, a most renowned man, who presides over tutelary hearings, let him have tutors or curators, suitable from whatever order, subjected to review.
And indeed those judging will determine this with free judgment and as exempt from loss; and if, for governing the pupillary estates, the individuals to be created cannot be equal to the task singly, it will be fitting that several be called to this according to the ancient laws,
so that the one whom that assembly shall judge most worthy for administering the wards’ affairs may obtain it by the sole sentence of the Prefecture.

itaque hoc modo remoti a metu, qui consilio adfuerint, permanebunt, et parvulis adultisque iusta defensio sub hac prudentium deliberatione proveniet.

therefore, in this way, those who shall have been present at the counsel will remain removed from fear, and for the little ones and the adults a just defense will ensue under this deliberation of the prudent.

CTh.3.17.3.1 [=brev.3.17.3.1]

Codex Theodosianus 3.17.3.1 [= breviarium 3.17.3.1]

Quod tamen circa eorum personas censuisse nos palam est, quibus neque testamentarii defensores, neque legitimi vita, aetate, facultatibus suppetunt. nam ubi forte huiuscemodi homines offeruntur, si nihil ad defensionem sui privilegiis comparabunt, ut teneri possint, iure praescribimus.

Nevertheless, what we have judged concerning the persons of those for whom neither testamentary defenders nor legitimate ones suffice by reason of life, age,
or resources is manifest. For when men of this sort are presented, if they will procure nothing by privileges for the defense of themselves, so that they can be held,
we prescribe by law.

CTh.3.17.3.2 [=brev.3.17.3.2]

Ceterum alia, quae in causis minorum antiquis legibus cauta sunt, manere intemerata decernimus. dat. vi. kal.

Moreover, the other things which in cases of minors have been provided for by the ancient laws, we decree to remain inviolate. given on the 6th day before the Kalends.

ian. mediolani, timasio et promoto coss.

jan., at milan, timasius and
promotus, consuls.

interpretatio. quoties de pupillorum tutela tractatur, debent primi patriae cum iudice, secundum aetates minorum, aut tutorem aut curatorem eligere, ut ille, qui susceperit tutelam tali electione, possit esse securus. quae tamen electio circa eas personas observabitur, quae nec testamento decretae sunt, nec propinquitate ad id officium adducuntur. de aliis sane minorum commodis legum priorum statuta praecepit observari

interpretation. whenever the tutelage of wards is handled, the foremost of the fatherland, together with the judge, according to the ages of the minors, ought to choose either a tutor or a curator, so that he who has undertaken the tutelage by such an election may be secure. yet that election shall be observed in the case of those persons who have neither been decreed by testament, nor are brought to that office by propinquity. as for the other benefits of minors, it has prescribed that the statutes of prior laws be observed

CTh.3.17.4pr. [=brev.3.17.4pr.]

Theodosian Code 3.17.4 preface [= Breviary 3.17.4 preface]

Iidem aaa. tatiano pf. p. matres, quae amissis viris tutelam administrandorum negotiorum in liberos postulant, priusquam confirmatio officii talis in eas iure veniat, fateantur actis, ad alias se nuptias non venire.

The same Augusti to Tatianus, praetorian prefect, mothers who, their husbands having been lost, request tutelage for the administering of affairs over their children, before the confirmatio
of such an officium shall come to them by law, must acknowledge in the acta that they will not enter into other nuptials.

CTh.3.17.4.1 [=brev.3.17.4.1]

Sane in optione huiuscemodi nulla cogitur, sed libera in condiciones*, quas praestituimus, voluntate descendat; nam si malunt alia optare matrimonia, tutelas filiorum administrare non debent.

Indeed, in an option of this kind no woman is compelled, but let her, with free will, descend into the conditions*, which we have pre‑stipulated; for if they prefer to opt for other marriages, they ought not to administer the tutelages of the children.

CTh.3.17.4.2 [=brev.3.17.4.2]

Sed ne sit facilis in eas post tutelam iure susceptam irruptio, bona eius primitus, qui tutelam gerentis affectaverit nuptias, in obligationem venire et teneri obnoxia rationibus parvulorum praecipimus, ne quid incuria, ne quid fraude depereat.

But lest there be an easy irruption upon them after the tutelage has been lawfully undertaken, we command that, first, the goods of him who has coveted the nuptials of the one conducting the tutelage come into obligation and be held liable to the accounts of the minors, lest anything perish through negligence, lest anything through fraud.

CTh.3.17.4.3 [=brev.3.17.4.3]

His illud adiungimus, ut mulier, si aetate maior est, tum demum petendae tutelae ius habeat, quum tutor legitimus defuerit, vel privilegio a tutela excusetur, vel suspecti genere summoveatur, vel ne suis quidem per animi aut corporis valetudinem administrandis facultatibus idoneus inveniatur.

To these things we add this: that a woman, if she is of greater age, then and only then has the right of seeking tutela, when a lawful tutor is lacking, or is excused from tutela by privilege,
or is removed on the ground of being suspect, or is found not suitable, not even for administering his own faculties, by reason of the state of health of mind or body,
he is found.

CTh.3.17.4.4 [=brev.3.17.4.4]

Quod si feminae tutelas refugerint et praeoptaverint nuptias, neque quisquam legitimus ad pares possit causas vocari, tum demum vir illustris praefectus urbi, adscito praetore, qui impertiendis tutoribus praesidet, sive iudices, qui in provinciis iura restituunt, de alio ordine per inquisitionem dari minoribus defensores iubebunt. dat. xii.

But if women have fled guardianships and have preferred nuptials, and no lawful kinsman can be summoned on equal grounds, then at that point the Illustrious Man, the Prefect of the City, with the Praetor called in, who presides over the assigning of tutors, or the judges who in the provinces restore rights, will order that defenders be given to minors from another order through an inquisition. given on the 12th.

kal. febr. mediolano, valentin.

on the Kalends of February, at Milan, Valentinian.

a. iv. et neoterio coss.

Augustus 4 and Neoterius, consuls.

interpretatio. mulieres mortuis maritis, si ipsae voluerint tutelam suscipere filiorum, priusquam hoc assumant, actis profiteantur, se non esse nupturas. sed hoc ipsum non extorquendum est; sed si maluerint, hoc voluntate propria fateantur: nam si ad alias nuptias migrare voluerint, tutelam filiorum administrare non possunt.

interpretation. women, with their husbands deceased, if they themselves should wish to undertake the tutelage of their children, before they assume this, let them profess in the public acts that they are not
to enter into nuptials. but this very thing is not to be extorted; rather, if they should prefer, let them acknowledge this by their own will: for if they should migrate to other nuptials,
they cannot administer the tutelage of their children.

sciant hoc etiam viri, qui sibi iungendas matres postulant parvulorum, quod, si mulieres tutelam administrare coeperint filiorum et postea nupserint, ille, qui in consortio recipitur maritali, bona sua noverit obligata et se ad rationem reddendam minoribus obnoxium esse futurum. additur etiam illud, quod mulier, nisi maior aetate fuerit, tutelam suscipere prohibetur. de his vero, qui cum lege veniunt ad tutelam, si quis ex his videbitur aut deceptus facultatibus aut moribus vilis, admitti non poterit, ne minorum bona depereant: sed illi accedant in tutelam, qui integritate mentis et certa propinquitate iunguntur.

Let men also know this, who seek to have the mothers of very young children joined to themselves in marriage: that, if women have begun to administer the tutelage of their sons and afterwards marry, he who is received into the marital consortium should know his goods to be encumbered and himself to be liable to render an account to the minors. It is added also this, that a woman, unless she be of full age, is prohibited from undertaking tutelage. But as to those who come to tutelage by law, if any of them shall seem either bereft of means or base in morals, he cannot be admitted, lest the goods of the minors perish; rather, let those enter upon the tutelage who are joined by integrity of mind and by certain propinquity.

nam si defuerint personae, quas diximus, et mater tutelam suscipere noluerit, tunc, sicut prius constitutum est, electio iudicis vel provincialium tutores minoribus deputabit

for if the persons, whom we have mentioned, are lacking, and the mother is unwilling to undertake the guardianship, then, just as was previously constituted, the election of the judge or of the provincials will depute guardians to the minors

CTh.3.18.0. Qui petant

CTh.3.18.0. Who may petition

CTh.3.18.1 [=brev.3.18.1]

Imp. constantius a. et iulianus caes. have orfite carissime nobis.

Emperor Constantius Aug. and Julian Caesar: hail, Orfitus, most dear to us.

avos quoque et avias tutoris necessitas postulandi teneat obligatos, si nepotibus pupillaris aetatis testamentaria vel legitima tutela defuerit. nam si tutor forte petitus non fuerit, secundum ea, quae priscis legibus statuta sunt, emolumentum successionis amittant, ad quos poterat hereditas pervenire. dat.

Let grandfathers also and grandmothers be held obligated by the necessity of petitioning for a tutor, if for their grandchildren of pupillary age a testamentary or legitimate tutelage should be lacking. For if by chance a tutor has not been sought, let those to whom the inheritance could have come lose the emolument of succession, in accordance with the provisions established by the ancient laws. Given.

id. iul. constantio a. ix. et iuliano caes. ii. coss.

on the ides of july, when constantius augustus for the 9th time and julian caesar for the 2nd were consuls.

interpretatio. si avus paternus defuerit, avos maternos etiam atque avias, tam paternas quam maternas iubet ad tutores parvulorum petendos legis praeceptione constringi, si tamen testamentarii vel legitimi deesse probantur. quod si nepotibus parvulis tutores providere despexerint, iubet eos huiusmodi dispendio subiacere, ut, si forte cesserit luctuosa hereditas, de successione minorum, quibus tutores aut non petierint aut noluerint providere, habeantur extranei

interpretation. If the paternal grandfather is lacking, he orders the maternal grandfathers and also the grandmothers, both paternal and maternal, to be bound by the precept of the law to seek tutors/guardians for the minors, if indeed the testamentary or legitimate ones are proven to be lacking. what if they have looked down on providing tutors for their very young grandchildren, he orders them to be subject to a loss of this sort, that, if perchance a mournful inheritance should devolve, from the succession of the minors, for whom they either did not seek or were unwilling to provide tutors, they shall be regarded as outsiders (extranei)

CTh.3.18.2

Idem a. si mater defensorem legitimum filiis non poposcit vel tutor pupillis inventarium rerum propria avaritia vel temeritate non conscripserit, ita plectantur infamiae, ut nec testandi nec donandi habeant libertatem. dat. prid.

The same emperor: if a mother has not demanded a legitimate defender for her sons, or a tutor for pupils (wards), through his own avarice or temerity, has not drawn up an inventory of the things, let them be punished with infamy, so that they have neither the freedom of making a will nor of making gifts. Given on the day before.

k. april. mosto cons. expositione non egit.

on the Kalends of April. in the consulship of Mostus. the Exposition did not treat it.

(.......).

CTh.3.30.0. De administratione et periculo tutorum et curatorum

CTh.3.30.0. On the administration and liability of guardians and curators

CTh.3.30.1 [=brev.3.19.1]

Imp. constantinus a. pro officio administrationis tutoris vel curatoris bona, si debitores exsistant, tanquam pignoris titulo obligata, minores sibimet vindicare minime prohibentur. dat.

The Emperor Constantine Augustus: On account of the office of administration, the goods of a tutor or curator, if they happen to be debtors, are as though obligated under the title of a pledge; minors are by no means forbidden to vindicate them for themselves. Given.

vii. kal. april.

march 26.

treviris, volusiano et anniano coss.

at Trier, in the consulship of Volusianus and Annianus.

interpretatio. quicumque* tutor sive curator negligentia administrationis suae debitor minoribus comprobatur, noverit facultates suas ita obligatas, ut, si non satisfecerit, ratione deducta, bona sua a minoribus loco pignoris teneantur

interpretation. whoever* tutor or curator is established as a debtor to minors by negligence of his administration, let him know his faculties are thus obligated, that, if he shall not have satisfied, the reckoning having been deducted, his goods are held by the minors in the place of a pledge

CTh.3.30.2 [=brev.3.19.2]

Idem a. ad maximum pf. u. post alia: minorum defensores, si per eos donationum condicio* neglecta est, rei amissae periculum praestent etc. dat. iii.

The same emperor to Maximus, Prefect of the City: after other things: the defenders of minors, if through them the condition* of donations has been neglected, shall make good the peril of the thing lost, etc. Given on the 3rd.

non. febr. roma, sabino et rufino coss.

Nones of February, Rome, Sabinus and Rufinus, consuls.

interpretatio. si in his, quae minoribus donari possunt, per tutoris negligentiam sive colludium donationis solennitas vel condicio* impleta non fuerit, id, quod minori deperierit, de proprio cogitur exsolvere

interpretation. if in those things which can be donated to minors, through the guardian’s negligence or collusion the solemnity of the donation or the condition* has not been fulfilled, he is compelled to pay out of his own property that which has been lost to the minor

CTh.3.30.3

(326 mart. 15).

(March 15, 326).

CTh.3.30.3.6

...Vel curatore sollicito, ut easdem inspiciat frequenti recognitione incolumes. (326 mart. 15).

...Or with a solicitous curator, that he may inspect those same things with frequent review, intact. (326 March 15).

CTh.3.30.3.7

Animalia quoque supervacua minorum veneant, non vetamus. dat. id. mart.

We do not forbid that the superfluous animals of minors also be sold. Given on the Ides of March.

sirmio constantino a. vii et constantio c. conss. (326 mart. 15).

at sirmium, constantine augustus for the 7th time and constantius caesar, consuls. (326 march 15).

CTh.3.30.4

Theodosian Code 3.30.4

Idem a. ad universos provinciales. post alia: minorum defensores, hoc est tutores vel curatores, si participes rei, quae lite poscitur, ita, ut iussum est, edere detractaverint eosdemque contra verum nominaverint, quoniam pupillo nihil vel adulto perire oportet, in quolibet litis eventu tantum de proprio pecuniae fisco inferant, quantum aestimatione habita ex tertia parte colligitur. quodsi pauperes sint, capitis deminutione plectantur et desinant cives esse romani, ita ut ius integrum ipsis minoribus reservetur.

The same Augustus to all provincials. After other matters: the defenders of minors, that is, tutors or curators, if they are participants in the matter which is demanded in litigation and have refused to produce, as ordered, and have named the same contrary to the truth, since nothing ought to perish for a pupil or an adult minor, in whatever outcome of the suit let them pay into the fisc from their own property so much money as, an assessment having been held, is gathered from the third part. But if they are poor, let them be punished by capitis deminutio (loss of status) and cease to be Roman citizens, such that the right entire is reserved to the minors themselves.

et cetera. dat. k. aug.

and the rest. given on the kalends of august.

basso et ablabio conss. (331 aug. 1).

Bassus and Ablabius,
consuls (August 1, 331).

CTh.3.30.5 [=brev.3.19.3]

Theodosian Code 3.30.5 [=brev.3.19.3]

Idem a. felici. quoniam per negligentiam seu proditionem tutorum et curatorum possessiones iuris emphyteutici, vitio intercedente commissi, e minorum fortunis avelluntur, placet, ut tutor curatorve, cuius officio manente possessio minoris iuris emphyteutici praerogativam, commissi offensa, perdiderit, tantum de facultatibus propriis, censura imminente, minoribus restituat, quanto rem valere potuisse constabit. dat.

The same Augustus to Felicius. Since through the negligence or treachery of tutors and curators the possessions of emphyteutic right, with the fault of forfeiture intervening,
are torn from the fortunes of minors, it is decreed that the tutor or curator who, while his office continues, has allowed the possession of a minor to lose the prerogative of the emphyteutic right
by the offense of forfeiture, shall restore to the minors, from his own resources, with censure impending, as much as it will be established that the thing could have been worth.
Given.

xiv. kal. mai.

April 18.

constantinopoli, dalmatio et zenophilo coss.

at constantinople, with dalmatius and zenophilus as consuls.

interpretatio. si forte cesserit, ut minores possessionem iuris emphyteutici, hoc est, quod ex fisci bonis parentes eorum habere meruerant, sub qualibet praestatione tenuerint, et hoc per negligentiam sive proditionem tutoris aut imminutum fuerit aut certe sublatum, quicquid perierit, a tutore vel curatore esse reddendum

interpretation. if by chance it has come to pass that minors have held the possession of an emphyteutic right, that is, one which from the goods of the fisc their parents had merited to have, under whatever prestation, and this through the negligence or treachery of the tutor has either been diminished or certainly removed, whatever has perished is to be restored by the tutor or the curator

CTh.3.30.6pr. [=brev.3.19.4pr.]

Impp. arcad. et honor.

Emperors Arcadius and Honorius.

aa. eutychiano pf. p. tutores eodem momento, quo fuerint ordinati, mox adeant cognitores, ut praesentibus primatibus, defensore, officiis etiam publicis, inventario solenniter facto, omne aurum argentumque et quicquid vetustate temporis non mutatur, si in pupilli substantia reperiatur, iudicum ac senatorum, officiorum etiam publicorum inustum signaculis, in tutissima, publicae auctoritate sententiae, sine spe aliqua usurarum, custodia collocetur; non prius qualibet occasione mutandum, quam adultus, legitimam ingressus aetatem, non tam litibus vacare incipiat, quam integro se mox gaudeat patrimonio restitutum.

The Emperors to Eutychianus, Praetorian Prefect. Let guardians, at the very moment they have been appointed, immediately approach the cognitors, so that, with the leading men, the defensor, and even the public offices present, after an inventory has been solemnly made, all the gold and silver and whatever is not altered by the oldness of time, if it is found in the ward’s substance, be placed, impressed with the seals of the judges and senators and even of the public offices, in the safest custody, by the authority of a public sentence, without any hope of usury; it is not to be altered on any pretext before the grown ward, having entered lawful age, should not so much begin to be occupied with lawsuits as rather rejoice that he is soon restored to an unimpaired patrimony.

CTh.3.30.6.1 [=brev.3.19.4.1]

Et quoniam etiam mediocris pensanda fortuna est, si cui forte in hereditate mobilia tantum, non etiam immobilia relinquantur, nec aliqui fundorum reditus supputentur, ex quibus vel familia pupilli sustentari valeat vel pupillus, ex mobilibus aut praedia idonea comparentur, aut, si forte, ut assolet, idonea non potuerint inveniri, iuxta antiqui iuris formam usurarum crescat accessio; ut et hic, unde fundorum reditus non sperantur, ex incremento rei mobilis minoris necessitas adiuvetur, et ibi sine periculo tutoris usurae penitus non petantur. dat. vi. kal.

And since even a middling fortune must be weighed, if by chance in an inheritance only movables, not also immovables, are left to someone, and no revenues of estates are reckoned, from which either the ward’s household may be supported or the ward himself, from the movables either suitable estates are to be purchased; or, if by chance, as often happens, suitable ones cannot be found, then, according to the form of ancient law, an accession of interest shall grow; so that here too, where revenues of estates are not expected, by the increase of the movable property the lesser necessity may be assisted, and in that case interest shall not at all be demanded, without peril to the guardian. Given on the 6th before the Kalends.

mart. constantinopoli, arcadio iv. et honorio iii. aa. coss.

march, at constantinople, when arcadius for the 4th and honorius for the 3rd were consuls, both augusti.

interpretatio. mox ad tutelam quis accesserit, adhibitis continuo primatibus civitatis vel defensore cum officio suo, suscepta pupilli bona facto rerum conscribat inventario: et si quid erit in pecunia vel argento, vel quae non possunt vetustate perire, praedictorum annulis obsignata reponat, et nulla occasione minuatur, neque id pupillo, dum in annis minoribus fuerit, pro litibus aut aliis causis noverint committendum, sed usque ad perfectam aetatem omni integritate servetur: in reliquis rebus proficiente diligentia. nam si minores eius sunt facultates, ut non sit patrimonium illis, et tantummodo substantia in rebus mobilibus invenitur, sciant tutores sibi esse permissum, ut vendere praesumant mobilia et agros comparare, ut minoribus in ea parte prospiciant; si vero non est eiusmodi substantia, unde praedium comparetur, hanc iubentur habere diligentiam, ut pecunia colligatur, et compendiis usurarum aut quibuslibet aliis rebus commodum pupillis acquirant; aut si forte tenuitas substantiae erit, exinde salva re pupillis substantia ministretur; et si ita egerint, a tutore pupillus non erit quaesiturus usuram

interpretation. Soon as someone shall have acceded to tutelage, the primates of the city or the defender with his office being immediately called in, having taken charge of the pupil’s
goods, let him draw up an inventory of the things made; and if there is anything in money or in silver, or in things which cannot perish by age, let him put them away sealed with the rings of the aforesaid,
and let it be diminished on no pretext, nor let them think that it is to be committed from the pupil, while he shall be in lesser years, for lawsuits or other causes,
but let it be kept with all integrity until full age: in the remaining matters, diligence advancing. For if his faculties are smaller, so that there is no patrimony for them,
and substance is found only in movable things, let the tutors know that it is permitted to them to presume to sell movables and to buy fields, so that they may look out for the minors in that respect;
but if there is not such substance whence an estate may be bought, they are ordered to have this diligence, that money be gathered, and by the gains of interest (usury) or by any other things
let them acquire advantage for the pupils; or if perchance there will be meagerness of substance, then, the principal being kept safe, let the substance be supplied to the pupils; and if they shall act thus, from the
tutor the pupil will not be going to seek interest

CTh.3.31.0. De excusatione tutorum

CTh.3.31.0. On the excusation of guardians

CTh.3.31.1

Impp. arcadius et honorius aa. flaviano praefecto urbi. post alia: excusationem naviculariis tutelae sive curae hactenus ipsis tribuimus, ut in huiusmodi officiis minoribus sui tantum corporis obligentur.

The emperors arcadius and honorius, augusti, to flavianus, prefect of the city. after other things: we grant to the shipowners an excuse from tutelage or curatorship to this extent, that in offices of this kind of a lesser sort they be obligated only in their own person.

dat. iii non. mart.

Dated on the 3rd day before the Nones of March.

mediolano stilichone et aureliano conss. (400 mart. 5).

at mediolanum, in the consulship of stilicho and aurelian. (400 mar. 5).

CTh.3.32.0. De praediis minorum sine decreto non alienandis

CTh.3.32.0. On the estates of minors not to be alienated without a decree

CTh.3.32.1

Imp. constantinus a. ad severum. minores, qui intra viginti quinque annorum aetatem sunt, praedium vel mancipium rusticum sine decreti interpositione alienatum, etiam non petita in integrum restitutione, poterunt vindicare; ita ut, si hac lege proposita tantum ad metas vicesimi et quinti anni supererit, ut coepta lis intra eiusdem anni finem terminari non possit, inchoata lis possit protendi.

Emperor Constantine Augustus to Severus. Minors who are within the age of twenty-five years will be able to vindicate an estate or a rural mancipium alienated without the interposition of a decree, even though restitution in integrum has not been sought; on condition that, if, with this law proposed, only so much remains to the metes of the twenty-fifth year that the suit begun cannot be terminated within the end of that same year, the suit begun can be prolonged.

sed et ii, quos eadem lex exacto vicensimo et quinto anno intra viginti et sex annos deprehenderit, incoare petitiones suas non morentur, quoniam usque ad vicensimum et sextum annum ita inchoatae litis tempora concluduntur. qui vero post hoc tempus agere temptaverit, expellatur, ut iam certus securusque possessor sit. dat.

But also those whom
the same law, once the twenty-fifth year has been completed, finds within twenty-six years, should not delay to initiate their petitions, since up to the twenty-sixth year the periods of a suit thus initiated are concluded. But whoever shall attempt to proceed after this time, let him be dismissed, so that the possessor may now be certain and secure. Given.

xv k. ian. serdicae probiano et iuliano conss. (322 [325?] dec.

15 kalends of january, at serdica, in the consulship of probianus and iulianus. (322 [325?] dec.

18).

CTh.3.32.2

Impp. etsi minores vel ex patris nomine vel ex suo, debitis dumtaxat fiscalibus ingruentibus, vel ex privatis contractibus repperientur obnoxii, decreti interpositio a constantiniano praetore celebranda est, probatis examussim causis, ut patefacta rerum fide firma venditio perseveret. haec cum ita sint, etiam suspecti tutores sub eius debent examine postulari, contraria quoque actione tribuenda; scilicet ut tunc demum ad experientiam tuam servatis legibus recurratur, si apud utrumque praetorem, dum quaestio ventilatur, ab aliqua parte auxilium provocationis fuerit obiectum, ut provocationis merita sublimis disceptator expendas.

The Emperors: even if minors, whether on the father’s account or on their own, are found liable—only when fiscal debts are pressing—or from private contracts,
the interposition of a decree must be conducted by the Constantinian praetor, the causes having been proved exactly to the rule, so that, once the good faith of the matters has been laid open, the firm sale may persevere.
Since these things are so, even suspected guardians ought to be called under his examination, with a contrary action to be granted as well; namely, that only then should there be recourse to your experience, the laws being observed,
if before each praetor, while the question is ventilated, by some party the aid of appeal has been raised,
so that the merits of the appeal you, the supreme adjudicator, may weigh.

dat. (....).

given (....).