| LAW
ON VESPASIAN'S IMPERIUM Law conferring constitutional powers and privileges on Emperor Vespasian ( AD 69-70 ) |
( N. Lewis & M. Reinhold, Roman Civilization, II, 3rd ed., New York, 1990, pp. 11-13 ). |
| . . .
that he shall have the right, just as the deified Augustus and Tiberius
Julius Caesar Augustus and Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
had, to conclude treaties with whomever he wishes ; |
| And
that he shall have the right, just as the deified Augustus and Tiberius
Julius Caesar Augustus and Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
had, to convene the senate, to put and refer proposals to it, and to
cause decrees of the senate to be enacted by proposal and division of
the house ; |
| And
that when the senate is convened [in special session] pursuant to his
wish, authorization, order, or command, or in his presence, all matters
transacted shall be considered and observed as fully binding as if the
meeting of the senate had been regularly convoked and held ; |
| And
that at all elections especial consideration shall be given to those
candidates for a magistracy, authority, imperium, or any post
whom he has recommended to the Roman senate and people or to whom he
has given and promised his vote ; |
| And
that he shall have the right, just as Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus
Germanicus had, to extend and advance the boundaries of the pomerium
whenever he deems it to be in the interest of the state ; |
| And
that he shall have the right and power, just as the deified Augustus
and Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus and Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus
Germanicus had, to transact and do whatever things divine, human, public
and private he deems to serve the advantage and the overriding interest
of the state ; |
| And
that the Emperor Caesar Vespasian shall not be bound by those laws and
plebiscites which were declared not binding upon the deified Augustus
Tiberius Julius Caesar Augustus or Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus
Germanicus, and the Emperor Caesar Vespasian Augustus shall have the
right to do whatsoever it was proper for the deified Augustus or Tiberius
Julius Caesar Augustus or Tiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus
to do by virtue of any law or enactment ; |
And
that whatever was done, executed, decreed, or ordered before the enactment
of this law by the Emperor Caesar Vespasian Augustus, or by anyone at
his order or command, shall be as fully binding and valid as if they
had been done by order of the people or plebs. |
| Sanction |
If
anyone in consequence of this law has or shall have acted contrary to
laws, enactments, plebiscites, or decrees of the senate, or if he shall
have failed to do in consequence of this law anything that it is incumbent
on him to do in accordance with a law, enactment, plebiscite, or decree
of the senate, it shall be with impunity, nor shall he on that account
have to pay any penalty to the people, nor shall anyone have the right
to institute suit or judicial inquiry concerning such matter, nor shall
any [authority] permit proceedings before him on such matter. |
| |