We attempt to rule the country subject to our crown by the adoption of just laws, when, for the public good, we provide defenders who may protect it against enemies. And while there is no lack of defenders of the throne, it is not improper that the numbers of the same should, for the purpose of repelling foreign foes, be increased by the addition of such slaves as have received their freedom through the royal favor. Wherefore, because it is necessary that such persons should afford their assistance to those to whom they are indebted for their liberty, we especially decree by this law, that all such freedmen and their descendants shall, in time of war, be included among the guards of the king; and the latter shall assign them their places in the ranks, and prescribe the duties they shall perform. And if any freedman should, in time of war, remain at home; and should not, in obedience to the royal order, join the army with the rest; he shall be delivered up as a slave to the person from whom he received his liberty. Those only shall be exempt from this penalty, who, by order of the king, or the governor, have been charged with the performance of some other duty; or who were prevented from joining the army by sickness, or by some other unavoidable necessity. =FLAVIUS EGICA, KING.= =XX. Concerning Freedmen who are Guilty of Transgressions.= We have often heard of freedmen who, after the restraints of servitude have been removed, desert those who set them free, and assert that they are the equals of their masters, or of their descendants. Wherefore, we now, with all due deliberation, publish the following decree, to wit: that if any person, of either sex, who has been set free, or any of their children, should be guilty of any subtlety or deceit, or fraudulent conduct towards their former masters, or towards their children, grandchildren, or any descendants of the latter, or should show them any disrespect, at any time, they shall be immediately returned to slavery. And the children of persons guilty as aforesaid, shall be delivered up to perpetual servitude, according to the provisions of a former law. BOOK VI. CONCERNING CRIMES AND TORTURES. TITLE I. CONCERNING THE ACCUSERS OF CRIMINALS. =I.= _A Slave, Accused of a Crime, may be Demanded of his Master by the Officials of the District._ =II.= _For what Offences, and in what Manner, Freeborn Persons shall be put to the Torture._ =III.= _For what Offences, and in what manner Slaves, of Either Sex, shall be put to the Torture, on account of the Crimes of their Masters._ =IV.= _For what Offences, and in what manner, a Slave, or a Freedman, shall be Tortured._ =V.= _In what way an Accusation shall be Brought to the Notice of the King._ =VI.= _How Kings should Practise the Duties of Mercy._