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Theodosius II, Theodosian Code 2.33.1

   https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/446

Context

The emperor Theodosius II, with his coemperor Valentinian III, assembled a commission to codify all Roman laws from the reign of Constantine to the present. Between 429 and 438 C.E. the scholars edited and added texts to produce a massive compilation in 16 books of over 2,500 constitutions on all subjects. This edict of the emperor Constantine was posted at Caesarea on April 17, 325 C.E. It addresses interest paid on the lending of all farm produce, but in particular wine and olive oil.

Text

Imp. Constant(inus) A. ad Dracilianum agentem vices P(raefectorum) P(raetori)o.Quicumque fruges humidas vel arentes indigentibus mutuas dederint, usurae nomine tertiam partem superfluam consequantur, id est ut, si summa crediti in duobus modiis fuerit, tertium modium amplius consequantur. quod si conventus creditor propter commodum usurarum debitum recuperare noluerit, non solum usuris, sed etiam debiti quantitate privandus est.quae lex ad solas pertinet fruges: nam pro pecunia ultra singulas centesimas creditor vetatur accipere.P(ro)p(osita) Caesarea XV kal. mai. Paulino et Iuliano conss.Interpretatio. Quicumque fruges humidas, id est vinum et oleum, vel quodcumque annonae genus alteri commodaverit, non plus ab eo propter usuram quam tertiam partem accipiat, id est ut supra duos modios qui accepit tertium reddat. quod si conventus fuerit ille qui commodat et pro maiore usura noluerit debitum suum adiecto tertio modio a debitore recipere, etiam debitum perdat. quam rem ad solas fruges praecipimus pertinere: nam quando pecunia fuerit commodata, nisi unam tantum centesimam a creditoribus exigi non iubemus.1

Textual Note

Ed. Mommsen, Meyer, and Krueger [1905] 1962

Translation

Emperor Constantine Augustus to Dracilianus, Acting Praetorian PrefectIf a person should lend farm products, either liquid or dry, to those who need them, he shall receive a third additional part as interest; that is, if the sum credited should be two measures, he shall gain a third additional measure. But if, on account of the advantage of the interest, a creditor should refuse to accept payment of the debt when he is formally notified, he shall be deprived not only of the interest but also of the principal of the debt.This law shall pertain to farm produce only, for a creditor is forbidden to receive more than one percent for money lent on interest.Posted at Caesarea on the fifteenth day before the kalends of May in the year of the consulship of Paulinus and Julianus. [April 17, 325 C.E.]Interpretation: If any person should lend to another liquid produce, that is, wine and oil, or any kind of farm produce whatsoever, he shall receive no more than a third part from the debtor as interest; that is, the person who received the loan shall return a third measure in addition to the two measures borrowed. But if the lender should be formally notified and, for the sake of a greater amount of interest, should be unwilling to accept from the debtor the payment of the debt, along with the additional third measure, he shall lose even the debt. We command this law to pertain only to farm produce; for when money has been lent, We order that not more than one percent shall be exacted by creditors.2

Translation Note

Trans. Pharr et al. 1952

Works Cited

  • 1 Theodosius II, Theodosiani libri XVI cum constitutionibus Sirmondianis et leges Novellae ad Theodosianum pertinentes, ed. Theodor Mommsen, Paul M. Meyer, and Paul Krueger, 3rd, repr. ed., 2 vols. (Berlin: Weidmann, 1905), bk: 2, section: 33.1.Link to Zotero Bibliographic Record
  • 2 Theodosius II, The Theodosian Code and Novels: And the Sirmondian Constitutions, ed. Clyde Pharr et al., Corpus of Roman Law (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1952), p: 61.Link to Zotero Bibliographic Record
About This Text

 

How to Cite This Entry

Joseph L. Rife, “Theodosius II, Theodosian Code 2.33.1,” in Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia, entry published April 28, 2023, https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/446.

Bibliography:

Joseph L. Rife, “Theodosius II, Theodosian Code 2.33.1.” In Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia, edited by Joseph L. Rife., edited by Joseph L. Rife. Caesarea City and Port Exploration Project, 2023. Entry published April 28, 2023. https://caesarea-maritima.org/testimonia/446.

About this Entry

Entry Title: Theodosius II, Theodosian Code 2.33.1

Authorial and Editorial Responsibility:

  • Joseph L. Rife, general editor, Vanderbilt University
  • Joseph L. Rife, editor, Caesarea Maritima: A Collection of Testimonia
  • David A. Michelson, Daniel L. Schwartz, and William L. Potter, technical editor, “Theodosius II, Theodosian Code 2.33.1”
  • Joseph L. Rife, entry contributor, “Theodosius II, Theodosian Code 2.33.1”

Additional Credit:

  • Testimonium edited by Joseph L. Rife
  • TEI record created by Joseph L. Rife
  • Testimonium translated by Joseph L. Rife
  • Testimonium transcribed by Joseph L. Rife
  • Testimonium identified by Joseph L. Rife
  • Editorial review by Joseph L. Rife
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