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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §48.2.3.pr-48.2.3.4

Formal Requirements of Adultery Indictments and Procedures

Passage 8130 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

This fragment outlines the specific formula for a bill of indictment in adultery cases, lists mandatory (place, accomplice, month) and non-compulsory details, and regulates the correction of defective bills, the inclusion of related charges, and procedures following the death of an accuser.

[PAULUS libro tertio de adulteriis. ] §48.2.3.prLibellorum inscriptionis conceptio talis est. 'Consul et dies.
[PAULUS, on Adultery, Book 3] The form of the writings of accusation is as follows: "The consul and the day.
Apud illum praetorem uel proconsulem Lucius Titius professus est se Maeuiam lege Iulia de adulteriis ream deferre, quod dicat eam cum Gaio Seio in ciuitate illa, domo illius, mense illo, consulibus illis adulterium commisisse'. utique enim et locus designandus est, in quo adulterium commissum est, et persona, cum qua admissum dicitur, et mensis: hoc enim lege Iulia publicorum cauetur et generaliter praecipitur omnibus, qui reum aliquem deferunt: neque autem diem neque horam inuitus conprehendet.
Before such-and-such a praetor or proconsul, Lucius Titius declared that he accuses Maevia as a defendant under the Julia law on adultery, because he alleges that she committed adultery with Gaius Seius in that city, in the house of that person, in that month, and under those consuls." For indeed, the place where the adultery was committed, the person with whom it is said to have been committed, and the month must certainly be designated; for this is provided by the Julia law on public trials and is generally prescribed for all who accuse anyone as a defendant; however, one will not be compelled against one's will to include the day or the hour.
§48.2.3.1Quod si libelli inscriptionum legitime ordinati non fuerint, rei nomen aboletur et ex integro repetendi reum potestas fiet.
But if the writings of accusation are not lawfully drawn up, the name of the defendant is erased, and there will be the power of accusing the defendant anew from the beginning.
§48.2.3.2Item subscribere debebit is qui dat libellos se professum esse, uel alius pro eo, si litteras nesciat.
Likewise, the person who presents the writings must sign that he has made the declaration, or another person on his behalf if he does not know how to write.
§48.2.3.3Sed et si aliud crimen obiciat, ueluti quod domum suam praebuit, ut stuprum mater familias pateretur, quod adulterum deprehensum dimiserit, quod pretium pro comperto stupro acceperit, et si quid simile, id ipsum libellis comprehendendum erit.
But also, if he charges another crime, such as that he provided his house so that a mother of a family might undergo illicit intercourse, or that he let go an adulterer caught in the act, or that he accepted a price for discovered illicit intercourse, and if there is any similar thing, this very thing must be included in the writings.
§48.2.3.4Si accusator decesserit aliaue quae causa ei impedierit, quo minus accusare possit, et si quid simile, nomen rei aboletur postulante reo: idque et lege Iulia de ui et senatus consulto cautum est, ita ut liceat alii ex integro repetere reum.
If the accuser dies or some other cause prevents him so that he cannot accuse, and if there is any similar thing, the name of the defendant is erased at the request of the defendant; and this is provided both by the Julia law on violence and by a decree of the senate, so that it is permitted to another to accuse the defendant anew from the beginning.
sed intra quod tempus, uidebimus: et utique triginta dies utiles obseruandi sunt.
But within what time, we shall see; and at all events, thirty available days must be observed.

Notes

  1. §48.2.3.prquod dicat — The subjunctive present `dicat` indicates a subjective allegation cited inside the formula of the indictment. The subject of this verb is `Lucius Titius`, introducing the accusative with infinitive clause `eam ... commisisse`.
  2. §48.2.3.3mater familias — An expression consisting of `mater` and its archaic genitive form `familias` (equivalent to `familiae`). Here, it serves as the subject of the passive subjunctive deponent verb `pateretur` in the purpose clause `ut... pateretur`.
  3. §48.2.3.4quo minus — Correlative to the verb of hindrance `impedierit` (prevented), this conjunction introduces a subjunctive clause (`possit`) expressing a negative purpose or result, meaning "prevent from doing something."

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §48.2.3.pr-48.2.3.4. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:48.2.3.pr-48.2.3.4

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