Codex Theodosianus

The Codex Theodosianus (Book of Theodosius) was a compilation of the laws of the Roman Empire under the Christian emperors since 312. A commission was established by Theodosius II in 429 and the compilation was published in the eastern half of the Roman Empire in 438. One year later, it was also introduced in the West by the emperor Valentinian III.

The Code was written in Latin and incorporated the terms Constantinopolitana and Roma for Constantine's capital and for the original capital in Italy. It was also concerned with the imposition of orthodoxy - the Arian controversy was ongoing - within the Christian religion and contains 65 decrees directed at heretics.

The Code was somewhat ineffectual, and Roman law was organized further in the Corpus Juris Civilis during the reign of Justinian I.

Notes

External links

• Imperatoris Theodosii Codex: Codex Theodosianus on line.
• Codex Theodosianus, A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London 1875.
• Codex Theodosianus
• Excerpts from the Codex Theodosianus
• Ed. Mommsen, Meyer, & Krueger The Roman Law Library
• A list of imperial laws of the fourth and fifth centuries contains summaries of many laws of the Theodosian code in chronological order.