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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §23.2.49.pr

Scope and Application of Marriage Bans Based on Rank

Passage 3355 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Marcellus explains that men of lower rank may marry women whom those of higher dignity are forbidden to marry for the sake of their dignity, but conversely, men of higher rank cannot marry women whom even those of lower rank are not permitted to marry.

[MARCELLUS libro primo ad legem Iuliam et Papiam. ] §23.2.49.prObseruandum est, ut inferioris gradus homines ducant uxores eas, quas hi qui altioris dignitatis sunt ducere legibus propter dignitatem prohibentur: at contra antecedentis gradus homines non possunt eas ducere, quas his qui inferioris dignitatis sunt ducere non licet.
[MARCELLUS, in his first book on the Lex Iulia et Papia.] It must be observed that men of lower rank may marry those women whom those of higher dignity are prohibited by the laws from marrying because of their dignity; but, on the contrary, men of higher rank cannot marry those whom those of lower dignity are not permitted to marry.

Notes

  1. §23.2.49.prObseruandum est, ut — The impersonal gerundive obseruandum est is followed by an ut clause with the subjunctive ducant, indicating a rule or principle to be observed.
  2. §23.2.49.prantecedentis gradus — A genitive of quality. In this context, in contrast with the preceding inferioris gradus (of lower rank), it means "of a preceding (i.e., higher) rank."

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §23.2.49.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:23.2.49.pr

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