Page 48 - A Walk to Caesarea / Joseph Patrich

34 Historical Review

Fig. 36
Broken copy of an imperial
edict noting the sums
permitted to collect for
various judicial services. The
plaque was apparently affixed
in the courtyard of the court.
Greek, 5th century CE

Excerpts from the imperial edict concerning tax payments and official judicial services, mid-
fifth century (Deciphered and translated by Leah Di Segni)

In excavations carried out in 1993–1995 in areas CC, CV, and KK, eight fragments of a gray-veined marble, measuring
ca 155 x 47 cm, upon which was incised an exceptional Greek inscription from the fifth century were discovered.
The Greek inscription, whose text is fragmentary, refers to two or more imperial edicts on behalf of Flavius Pusaeus,
the praetorian prefect of the East, who was in charge of the eastern part of the empire in ca 465–467. The orders
determined the rate of additional payments (sportula), which the law court officials – state officials – could get,
lawfully, for their services.

(1) Edicts issued [according to the imperial orders by the most noble] and most eminent prefects, Flavius Puseus the
most magnificent and most glorious prefect (2) of the sacred praet[oria, so-and-so (prefect of Italy) and so-and-so
(prefect of Illyricum)].

Column I (I:3) In the (prefecture of) Orient, the praefectianus sent to collect taxes (I:4) shall receive on account

of sportulae one solidus on each hundred; (I:5) but beyond 8 solidi nothing shall be exacted, even if

the amount is in excess. (I:6) For anyone who has a post outside the Orient (the maximum permitted

amount is) 12 solidi.

(I:7) Schedule of the legal costs fixed by law for each (I:8) province and office.

(I:9–10) For a writ of summons ex parte [x]

(I:11) For delivery of the memorandum [x]

(I:12) For a clean copy of the memorandum [x]

(I:13–14) For a reader for the [writ] of summons [x]

(I:15) For those who write out (the memorandum)

(I:16) from the party that is sued:

(I:17) from 50 (?) solidi [to 100 solidi x]

(I:18) and from 100 solidi to [150 solidi x]

(I:19) and from 150 solidi to [200 solidi (?) 1 solidus (?)]

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * *

Column III (III:2) To the exceptores for papyri 6 siliquae
(III:3) for issue of a definita causa 1 solidus
(III:4) And if one wants to receive (the record of) a deferred trial:
(III:5) for papyri 4 siliquae
(III:6) and for the issue from each party who receives (the record) 6 siliquae.
(III:7) For writing out the record of a trial 8 siliquae.
(III:8) And in criminal trials the same amounts are to be paid.