THE NEW CONSTITUTIONS OF THE EMPEROR LEO. |
~ XXXVIII ~ |
THE
SLAVES OF THE EMPEROR CAN DISPOSE OF ANY PROPERTY BELONGING TO THEM
IN ANY WAY THAT THEY MAY DESIRE. |
|
( S. P. Scott, The Civil Law, XVII, Cincinnati, 1932 ). |
The
Same Emperor to the Same Stylianus. |
Although
the following provision is apparently plausible, and has been legally
enacted, still, it seems to me to exceed the bounds of equity; for it
declares that slaves shall not be permitted to dispose of their property,
and, even though it may have been obtained by their arduous labors,
and with many privations, their masters shall be entitled to it. And,
indeed, it is surprising that the law originally enacted on this subject
was not drawn up with more moderation and justice, and that those responsible
for the same adopted it, just as if it had been framed by others.
Moreover, I do not approve
of this law and I shall not permit it to apply to my slaves; but, on
the contrary, I grant them full authority to manage their own estates,
and, hereafter, the slaves of the Emperor shall be the actual owners
of their property; so that, when they are in health, or ill, if they
think that they are in danger of death, they shall not be deprived of
the power of disposing of their property in any way that they may desire,
and the ownership of whatever they possess shall not be taken from them
under the pretext of servitude. Therefore, this law shall be applicable
to Imperial slaves. Magistrates, and the remainder of the people, however,
shall have the power to observe the ancient statutes having reference
to the property of slaves, when they are not willing to acquiesce in
this Our decree. |
|