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The publication of the Theodosian Code and transmission of its texts: Some observations

Salway, RWB; (2012) The publication of the Theodosian Code and transmission of its texts: Some observations. In: Crogiez-Pétrequin, Sylvie and Jaillette, Pierre, (eds.) Sociéte, économie, administration dans le Code Théodosien. (21 - 61). Presses Universitaires du Septentrion: Lille, France.

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Abstract

This paper presents some preliminary conclusions arising from the second phase of the British branch of the « Projet Volterra », which focuses on the late antique and medieval reception of Roman law (www.ucl.ac.uk/history/volterra). The combined testimony of first Novel of Theodosius II and the so-called Gesta Senatus is generally taken as a comprehensive record of the process whereby the original exemplars of the Theodosian Code were distributed throughout both parts of the Empire. This is certainly the assumption behind the recent discussions by John Matthews in Laying Down the Law. A study of the Theodosian Code (2000) and Boudewijn Sirks in The Theodosian Code. A Study (2007). In this paper I suggest that we must treat the Gesta with care, being careful to remember that they preserve the viewpoints of the praefectus praetorio Faustus and the senate of Rome rather than an impartial and objective narrative of how the Code was transmitted and disseminated. I offer an alternative model for the initial dissemination of the Code and examine how this might change our understanding of the relationship of its surviving manuscripts to each other. / Cet article présente quelques résultats préliminaires provenant de la deuxième phase de la section britannique du « Projet Volterra », qui examine la réception tardo-antique et médiévale du droit romain (www.ucl.ac.uk/history/volterra). Le témoignage conjoint de la première Novelle de Théodose II et des Gesta Senatus est généralement considéré comme pouvant permettre de comprendre le processus par lequel les exemplaires originaux du Code Théodosien sont diffusés partout dans les deux parties de l’Empire. Certes John Matthews dans Laying Down the Law. A study of the Theodosian Code (2000) et Boudewijn Sirks dans The Theodosian Code. A Study (2007) adhèrent tous deux à cette supposition. Je suggère ici qu’il faut examiner les Gesta avec précaution en veillant à rappeler qu’ils préservent les points du vue du préfet du prétoire Faustus et du sénat de Rome plutôt qu’ils ne sont un rapport impartial et objectif du procédé de transmission et de diffusion du Code. Je propose une autre solution pour la diffusion initiale du Code et examine comment celle-ci transformerait notre compréhension des relations entre les différents manuscrits qui nous sont parvenus.

Type: Book chapter
Title: The publication of the Theodosian Code and transmission of its texts: Some observations
ISBN-13: 9782757403921
Publisher version: http://www.septentrion.com/fr/livre/?GCOI=27574100...
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the version of record. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Roman law, Codex Theodosianus
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL SLASH > Faculty of S&HS > Dept of History
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1370927
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