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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §40.4.50.pr-40.4.50.1

Conditions for Preserving Freedom and Rights of Slaves

Passage 6398 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

This passage states that the constitution of the Divine Marcus for preserving freedoms applies only when a testament is void and property is sold, not when it goes to the treasury, and that the right of manumitted slaves to provide security for taking over the property remains valid even if the designated heirs are minors seeking relief.

[IDEM libro nono responsorum. ] §40.4.50.prQuod diuo Marco pro libertatibus conseruandis placuit, locum habet irrito testamento facto, si bona uenitura sint: alioquin uacantibus fisco uindicatis non habere constitutionem locum aperte cauetur.
[THE SAME AUTHOR in the ninth book of Opinions.] What was pleased by the Divine Marcus for the preservation of freedoms applies when a testament is made inoperative, if the property is to be sold; otherwise, it is clearly provided that the constitution does not apply when vacant property is claimed by the treasury.
§40.4.50.1Seruos autem testamento manumissos, ut bona suscipiant, iure cautionem idoneam offerre, non minus quam ceteros defuncti libertos aut extrarios declarauit: quod beneficium, minoribus annis heredibus scriptis auxilium bonis praestitutum more solito desiderantibus, non aufertur.
Furthermore, he declared that slaves manumitted by a testament, in order to take over the property, may lawfully offer sufficient security, no less than the other freedmen of the deceased or third parties; which benefit is not taken away when the designated heirs are under age and desire, in the usual manner, the relief established for the property.

Notes

  1. 40.4.50.pruacantibus fisco uindicatis — This is an ablative absolute construction with the noun bonis understood, referring to vacant property (bona uacantia) claimed by the treasury (fiscus).
  2. 40.4.50.1minoribus annis heredibus scriptis — The phrase minoribus annis (under age, i.e., under twenty-five) functions as an ablative of quality modifying the noun phrase heredibus scriptis, which together forms an ablative absolute construction expressing the condition that the designated heirs are minors.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §40.4.50.pr-40.4.50.1. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:40.4.50.pr-40.4.50.1

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