[CALLISTRATUS libro primo cognitionum. ] §50.2.11.prNon tantum qui tenerae aetatis, sed etiam qui grandes natu sunt decuriones fieri prohibentur.
[CALLISTRATUS, In the First Book on Cognitions.] Not only those of tender age, but also those who are advanced in years are forbidden to become decurions.
illi quasi inhabiles rem publicam tueri ad tempus excusantur, hi uero in perpetuum amouentur: non alias seniores, ne seniorum excusatione iuniores onerentur ad omnia munera publica suscipienda soli relicti.
The former are excused for a time, as being unfit to protect the state, whereas the latter are excluded forever; elderly men are not [excused] under any other circumstances, lest the younger men, being left alone to undertake all public duties, be overburdened by the excuse of the elderly.
neque enim minores uiginti quinque annis decuriones allegi nisi ex causa possunt, neque hi, qui annum quinquagensimum et quintum excesserunt.
For neither can those under twenty-five years of age be chosen as decurions except for a just cause, nor those who have exceeded their fifty-fifth year.
nonnumquam etiam longa consuetudo in ea re obseruata respicienda erit.
Sometimes, even a long-observed custom in this matter must be respected.
quod etiam custodiendum principes nostri consulti de allegendis in ordine Nicomedensium huius aetatis hominibus rescripserunt.
Our Emperors also wrote back that this should be observed when they were consulted about choosing men of this age for the town council of the Nicomedians.