History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 2Gibbon, Edward
History
History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire — Volume 2
Gibbon, Edward
Byzantine Empire -- History -- To 527; Rome -- History -- Empire, 30 B.C.-476 A.D.
62 (return) [ Cod. Theodos. l. xiv. 13. The commentary of
Godefroy (tom. v. p. 220) is long, but perplexed; nor indeed is
it easy to ascertain in what the Jus Italicum could consist,
after the freedom of the city had been communicated to the whole
empire. * Note: “This right, (the Jus Italicum,) which by most
writers is referred with out foundation to the personal condition
of the citizens, properly related to the city as a whole, and
contained two parts. First, the Roman or quiritarian property in
the soil, (commercium,) and its capability of mancipation,
usucaption, and vindication; moreover, as an inseparable
consequence of this, exemption from land-tax. Then, secondly, a
free constitution in the Italian form, with Duumvirs,
Quinquennales. and Ædiles, and especially with Jurisdiction.”
Savigny, Geschichte des Rom. Rechts i. p. 51—M.]
63 (return) [ Julian (Orat. i. p. 8) celebrates Constantinople as
not less superior to all other cities than she was inferior to
Rome itself. His learned commentator (Spanheim, p. 75, 76)
justifies this language by several parallel and contemporary
instances. Zosimus, as well as Socrates and Sozomen, flourished
after the division of the empire between the two sons of
Theodosius, which established a perfect _equality_ between the
old and the new capital.]
As Constantine urged the progress of the work with the impatience
of a lover, the walls, the porticos, and the principal edifices
were completed in a few years, or, according to another account,
in a few months; 64 but this extraordinary diligence should
excite the less admiration, since many of the buildings were
finished in so hasty and imperfect a manner, that under the
succeeding reign, they were preserved with difficulty from
impending ruin. 65 But while they displayed the vigor and
freshness of youth, the founder prepared to celebrate the
dedication of his city. 66 The games and largesses which crowned
the pomp of this memorable festival may easily be supposed; but
there is one circumstance of a more singular and permanent
nature, which ought not entirely to be overlooked. As often as
the birthday of the city returned, the statue of Constantine,
framed by his order, of gilt wood, and bearing in his right hand
a small image of the genius of the place, was erected on a
triumphal car. The guards, carrying white tapers, and clothed in
their richest apparel, accompanied the solemn procession as it
moved through the Hippodrome. When it was opposite to the throne
of the reigning emperor, he rose from his seat, and with grateful
reverence adored the memory of his predecessor. 67 At the
festival of the dedication, an edict, engraved on a column of
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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