Legal Definitions - constitutiones principum

The Latin term constitutiones principum refers to the various forms of legal pronouncements issued directly by the Roman emperors during the Roman Empire. These imperial pronouncements were a significant source of law and held the force of legislation, shaping the legal landscape of the empire.

These pronouncements could take several forms, including:

• Edicts (edicta): General proclamations or laws applicable to all citizens or specific groups.
• Decrees (decreta): Judicial decisions made by the emperor in specific legal cases, which often served as precedents for future rulings.
• Rescripts (rescripta): Written answers provided by the emperor to legal questions posed by officials or private citizens.
• Mandates (mandata): Instructions or directives issued by the emperor to his administrative officials, particularly provincial governors.

Examples

• Imagine Emperor Hadrian, concerned about the rising cost of grain, issues a decree stating that all merchants selling grain in Rome must adhere to a maximum price. This general proclamation, applicable to all grain merchants, would be considered a constitutio principum in the form of an edict, directly impacting the economy and daily lives of Roman citizens.

• A dispute arises between two Roman citizens over the ownership of a piece of land. The case eventually reaches the emperor's court. After hearing the arguments, Emperor Justinian delivers a ruling clarifying the legal principles for determining land ownership in such situations. This specific judicial decision, which then serves as a precedent for similar future cases, exemplifies a constitutio principum in the form of a decree.

• Emperor Diocletian, aiming to improve the efficiency of tax collection across the vast empire, sends detailed instructions to all provincial governors outlining new procedures for assessing and collecting taxes from their respective regions. These specific directives to his officials, guiding their administrative actions, represent a constitutio principum in the form of a mandate.