[MODESTINUS libro singulari de manumissionibus. ] §25.3.6.prAlimenta liberto petente non praestando patronus amissione libertatis causa impositorum et hereditatis liberti punietur: non autem necesse habebit praestare, etiamsi potest.
[MODESTINUS, from the single book on Manumissions.] If a freedman requests maintenance and the patron does not provide it, the patron shall be punished by the loss of the rights imposed on account of freedom and the loss of the inheritance of the freedman; however, he will not be under the necessity of providing it, even if he is able to do so.
§25.3.6.1Imperatoris Commodi constitutio talis profertur: 'Cum probatum sit contumeliis patronos a libertis esse uiolatos uel illata manu atroci esse pulsatos aut etiam paupertate uel corporis ualetudine laborantes relictos, primum eos in potestate patronorum redigi et ministerium dominis praebere cogi: sin autem nec hoc modo admoneantur, uel a praeside emptori addicentur et pretium patronis tribuetur'.
A constitution of the Emperor Commodus is set forth as follows: "When it has been proved that patrons have been violated with insults by their freedmen, or have been beaten by an atrocious hand laid upon them, or even left abandoned while struggling with poverty or bodily illness, first of all, they shall be reduced again under the power of their patrons and compelled to render service to their masters; but if they are not corrected even by this means, they shall either be adjudged by the governor to a purchaser, and the price shall be given to the patrons."