From: Cassiodorus (formula template)
To: The Praetorian Prefect
Date: ~522 AD
Context: Template ordering the Praetorian Prefect to authorize the sale of curiales' property by formal decree, protecting both the sellers and buyers.
Although the freedom to sell one's property should rest with the owner, since true ownership means having the power to make whatever decision one wishes about one's own possessions, the ancients still thought it wise to provide curiales [municipal administrators] with the protection of law against hasty alienation. They feared that civic duty might be undermined if the resources that sustained it were squandered. For this reason, the sale of curiales' property requires a formal decree, a solemn proceeding that is not a restriction on freedom but a safeguard for both parties.
We therefore direct your illustrious magnificence to see that the designated person, who holds the rank of curialis, may lawfully sell the designated property under the procedure established by ancient law -- that is, with a formal decree of the curia, publicly registered and witnessed. Let the proceedings be conducted according to all the requirements that sacred legislation has prescribed, so that the sale stands firm and no future challenge may disturb the buyer's security. For what is done under public authority and lawful procedure ought to endure through the ages without fear of reversal.
XLVII.
FORMULA AD PPO, UT SUB DECRETO CURIALIUM PRAEDIA VENUNDENTUR.
[1] Patitur hoc inprovida mortalium plerumque condicio, ut, cum laedere putatur, consulat et cum consulere videtur, affligat. sed illud magis est eligendum, quod prodesse cognoscitur. nam venena ipsa si iuvare probantur, accepta sunt: et contra refugienda est suavitas mellis, quae inferre dinoscitur laesiones. finis ergo sapientis est amare quod expedit: sic nec aegri votum respicit qui prodesse contendit. praedia quidem curialium non facile distrahi prudens definivit antiquitas, ut ad necessitates publicas melius sufficerent, si substantiae iuvamina plus haberent. [2] Sed in hac iterum parte prospexit, ut, si apud vos ineluctabilis necessitas appareret, ei suarum rerum distractio subveniret. nam quid prodest, si quispiam videatur idoneus et fieri non possit a contractis nexibus absolutus? egenti similis est, qui reddere nequit alienum, nec dici potest proprium, quod liberare dominum non videtur aditum. [3] Sed quamvis hoc vestrae potestati fuerit legum auctoritate concessum, tamen, ne quam vel rarissimi facti sustineretis invidiam, illius municipis allegatione permoti, nos quoque eminentiae vestrae praesenti iussione permittimus, ut ad liquidum veritate discussa, si aliter solvi nequeunt contracta ligamina, praedii sui, quod propria voluntate delegerit, habeat licentiam distrahendi, ita ut reddat debitum quod probatur esse contractum, ne vitio voracitatis imbutus facultates suas absorbere videatur esse permissus. constet apud vos probabilis causa damnorum, quoniam illi volumus subveniri qui duris necessitatibus probatur astringi: utrumque enim potest esse culpabile aut malis moribus frena laxare aut iustas iterum querelas excludere. quapropter provide vobis permisit antiquitas de illa causa decernere, cui est utile curiam custodire. a quibus enim urbium munia poterunt sustineri, si civitatum nervi passim videantur abscidi?
Cassiodorus
◆
From:Cassiodorus (formula template)
To:The Praetorian Prefect
Date:~522 AD
Context:Template ordering the Praetorian Prefect to authorize the sale of curiales' property by formal decree, protecting both the sellers and buyers.
Although the freedom to sell one's property should rest with the owner, since true ownership means having the power to make whatever decision one wishes about one's own possessions, the ancients still thought it wise to provide curiales [municipal administrators] with the protection of law against hasty alienation. They feared that civic duty might be undermined if the resources that sustained it were squandered. For this reason, the sale of curiales' property requires a formal decree, a solemn proceeding that is not a restriction on freedom but a safeguard for both parties.
We therefore direct your illustrious magnificence to see that the designated person, who holds the rank of curialis, may lawfully sell the designated property under the procedure established by ancient law -- that is, with a formal decree of the curia, publicly registered and witnessed. Let the proceedings be conducted according to all the requirements that sacred legislation has prescribed, so that the sale stands firm and no future challenge may disturb the buyer's security. For what is done under public authority and lawful procedure ought to endure through the ages without fear of reversal.
Modern English rendering for readability. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek for scholarly use.