De officio proconsulis et legati
(Concerning the Office of Proconsul, and his Deputy.)
1 Ulpianus libro primo disputationum. Proconsul ubique quidem proconsularia insignia habet statim atque urbem egressus est: potestatem autem non exercet nisi in ea provincia sola, quae ei decreta est.
1 Ulpianus, Controversies, Book I. The Proconsul bears everywhere the insignia of his rank after he leaves the city; but he does not exercise authority except in the province which has been assigned to him.
2 Marcianus libro primo institutionum. Omnes proconsules statim quam urbem egressi fuerint habent iurisdictionem, sed non contentiosam, sed voluntariam: ut ecce manumitti apud eos possunt tam liberi quam servi et adoptiones fieri. 1Apud legatum vero proconsulis nemo manumittere potest, quia non habet iurisdictionem talem.
2 Marcianus, Institutes, Book I. All Proconsuls after having left the city have jurisdiction, provided it is not contentious, but voluntary; for example, the manumissions of children as well as of slaves, and adoptions can take place before them. 1No one can manumit, however, before the Deputy, for the reason that he has not sufficient jurisdiction.
3 Ulpianus libro vicensimo sexto ad Sabinum. Nec adoptare potest: omnino enim non est apud eum legis actio.
3 Ulpianus, On Sabinus, Book XXVI. Nor can adoptions take place before him, as in fact no legal action can be brought in his court.
4 Idem libro primo de officio proconsulis. Observare autem proconsulem oportet, ne in hospitiis praebendis oneret provinciam, ut imperator noster cum patre Aufidio Severiano rescripsit. 1Nemo proconsulum stratores suos habere potest, sed vice eorum milites ministerio in provinciis funguntur. 2Proficisci autem proconsulem melius quidem est sine uxore: sed et cum uxore potest, dummodo sciat senatum Cotta et Messala consulibus censuisse futurum, ut si quid uxores eorum qui ad officia proficiscuntur deliquerint, ab ipsis ratio et vindicta exigatur. 3Antequam vero fines provinciae decretae sibi proconsul ingressus sit, edictum debet de adventu suo mittere continens commendationem aliquam sui, si qua ei familiaritas sit cum provincialibus vel coniunctio, et maxime excusantis, ne publice vel privatim occurrant ei: esse enim congruens, ut unusquisque in sua patria eum exciperet. 4Recte autem et ordine faciet, si edictum decessori suo miserit significetque, qua die fines sit ingressurus: plerumque enim incerta haec et inopinata turbant provinciales et actus impediunt. 5Ingressum etiam hoc eum observare oportet, ut per eam partem provinciam ingrediatur, per quam ingredi moris est, et quas Graeci ἐπιδημίας appellant sive κατάπλουν observare, in quam primum civitatem veniat vel applicet: magni enim facient provinciales servari sibi consuetudinem istam et huiusmodi praerogativas. quaedam provinciae etiam hoc habent, ut per mare in eam provinciam proconsul veniat, ut Asia, scilicet usque adeo, ut imperator noster Antoninus Augustus ad desideria Asianorum rescripsit proconsuli necessitatem impositam per mare Asiam applicare καὶ τῶν μητροπόλεων Ἔφεσον primam attingere. 6Post haec ingressus provinciam mandare iurisdictionem legato suo debet nec hoc ante facere, quam fuerit provinciam ingressus; est enim perquam absurdum, antequam ipse iurisdictionem nanciscatur (nec enim prius ei competit, quam in eam provinciam venerit) alii eam mandare, quam non habet. sed si et ante fecerit et ingressus provinciam in eadem voluntate fuerit, credendum est videri legatum habere iurisdictionem, non exinde ex quo mandata est, sed ex quo provinciam proconsul ingressus est.
4 The Same, On the Duties of Proconsul, Book I. It is necessary for the Proconsul also, to be careful not to oppress his province in the entertainment of officials; as our Emperor, as well as his father stated in a Rescript to Aufidius Severianus. 1No proconsul can have his own grooms, but in their stead soldiers should perform their duties in the provinces. 2It would also be better for the Proconsul to travel without his wife, still, he can bring his wife with him; but he must remember that the Senate, during the consulship of Cotta and Mesalla, decreed, “That in the future if the wives of those travelling to take charge of their offices should commit any offence, an accounting will be required of their husbands and punishment will be inflicted upon them”. 3Before the Proconsul passes the boundaries of the province assigned to him, he should publish an edict announcing his arrival, and containing a recommendation of himself, if he has any acquaintance or connection with the people of the province; and by all means request them not to come to meet him either publicly or privately, it being more suitable that each one should receive him in his own country. 4He will also act properly and according to the regular order of proceeding, if he sends a notice to his predecessor indicating the day when he will pass the boundaries of his jurisdiction; for frequently when these things are not certainly known or expected, the people of the province are disturbed, and business transactions are impeded. 5It is proper when he enters the province for him to do so in that portion where this is customary; and that whatever city he reaches first he should pay attention to what the Greeks call epidymias, that is “the place of sojourn”, or kataploun “the port of arrival”; for the provincials attach great importance to the preservation and observance of this custom and of privileges of this description. There are some provinces to which the Proconsul goes by sea, as, for instance, Asia; and to such an extent was this carried that our Emperor Antoninus Augustus stated in a Rescript, in reply to a request of the Asiatics, “That the Proconsul was absolutely required to proceed to Asia by sea, and to land at Ephesus, before touching at any of the other principal cities”. 6After having made his entry into the province, he should invest his Deputy with his jurisdiction, but he should not do this before, as it would be absurd for him to confer authority on another which he does not yet himself possess; for he is not entitled to the same until he enters the province. If, however, he should do this before, and after having entered the province should not change his mind, it would probably be decided that the Deputy has jurisdiction, not from the time when it had been conferred upon him, but from the day when the Proconsul entered the province.
5 Papinianus libro primo quaestionum. Aliquando mandare iurisdictionem proconsul potest, etsi nondum in provinciam pervenerit. quid enim si necessariam moram in itinere patiatur, maturissime autem legatus in provinciam perventurus sit?
5 Papinianus, Questions, Book I. There are cases in which a Proconsul can delegate his jurisdiction, even though he has not yet entered the province; for example, if he had been subjected to some necessary delay during his journey, and his Deputy was able to arrive at the province very soon.
6 Ulpianus libro primo de officio proconsulis. Solent etiam custodiarum cognitionem mandare legatis, scilicet ut praeauditas custodias ad se remittant, ut innocentem ipse liberet. sed hoc genus mandati extraordinarium est: nec enim potest quis gladii potestatem sibi datam vel cuius alterius coercitionis ad alium transferre, nec liberandi igitur reos ius, cum accusari apud eum non possint. 1Sicut autem mandare iurisdictionem vel non mandare est in arbitrio proconsulis, ita adimere mandatam iurisdictionem licet quidem proconsuli, non autem debet inconsulto principe hoc facere. 2Legatos non oportet principem consulere, sed proconsulem suum, et is ad consultationes legatorum debebit respondere. 3Non vero in totum xeniis abstinere debebit proconsul, sed modum adicere, ut neque morose in totum abstineat neque avare modum xeniorum excedat. quam rem divus Severus et imperator Antoninus elegantissime epistula sunt moderati, cuius epistulae verba haec sunt: ‘quantum ad xenia pertinet, audi quid sentimus: vetus proverbium est: οὔτε πάντα οὔτε πάντοτε οὔτε παρὰ πάντων. nam valde inhumanum est a nemine accipere, sed passim vilissimum est et omnia avarissimum.’ et quod mandatis continetur, ne donum vel munus ipse proconsul vel qui in alio officio erit accipiat ematve quid nisi victus cottidiani causa, ad xeniola non pertinet, sed ad ea quae edulium excedant usum. sed nec xenia producenda sunt ad munerum qualitatem.
6 Ulpianus, On the Duties of Proconsul, Book I. It is customary for him to commit to his Deputies cognizance of the offences of prisoners; so that, after having been interrogated, the Deputies can send them back, in order that the Proconsuls may discharge those who are innocent. This species of delegated power is, however, extraordinary; for no one can transfer to another the right to impose the penalty of death, or that of inflicting any other punishment, which has been conferred upon himself, or even that of discharging prisoners who cannot be prosecuted before him. 1As the Proconsul has the right to delegate or not to delegate his judicial authority according to his will, he has also the right to recall it; but he should not do so without consulting the Emperor. 2It is not proper for the Deputies to consult the Emperor, but they should apply to their own Proconsul, and he is compelled to answer their inquiries. 3The Proconsul should not absolutely refuse to receive presents, but he should act with moderation, so as not rudely to reject them altogether, nor avariciously transcend the bounds of reason in their acceptance; which matter the Divine Severus and the Emperor Antoninus have very properly regulated in an Epistle, the words of which are as follows: “With reference to presents, We are of the opinion stated in an ancient proverb, viz: ‘Not all things should be received, nor at all times, nor from all persons’; for, indeed, it is impolite to accept gifts from no one; but, on the other hand it is most despicable, and most avaricious to accept without distinction everything that is given.” And as to what is contained in the Imperial Mandates, namely: “That the Proconsul himself, or any other person in office shall accept no gift or present, and shall not even purchase anything except for the purpose of daily subsistence”; this has no reference to small gratuities, but to those which exceed the requirements of ordinary support. Nor should such presents be extended to the point of making donations of great value.
7 Idem libro secundo de officio proconsulis. Si in aliam quam celebrem civitatem vel provinciae caput advenerit, pati debet commendari sibi civitatem laudesque suas non gravate audire, cum honori suo provinciales id vindicent: et ferias secundum mores et consuetudinem quae retro optinuit dare. 1Aedes sacras et opera publica circumire inspiciendi gratia, an sarta tectaque sint vel an aliqua refectione indigeant, et si qua coepta sunt ut consummentur, prout vires eius rei publicae permittunt, curare debet curatoresque operum diligentes sollemniter praeponere, ministeria quoque militaria, si opus fuerit, ad curatores adiuvandos dare. 2Cum plenissimam autem iurisdictionem proconsul habeat, omnium partes, qui Romae vel quasi magistratus vel extra ordinem ius dicunt, ad ipsum pertinent:
7 The Same, On the Duties of the Proconsul, Book II. When the Proconsul enters any other city which is not a populous one or the capital of the province, he should permit it to be placed under his protection, and listen to the compliments bestowed upon him without evincing any discontent, since the people of the province do this in his honor; and he should also appoint festivals in accordance with the manners and customs which have previously been observed. 1He should visit the temples and public monuments, for the purpose of inspecting them, and ascertaining whether they are in good condition, and properly cared for, or whether they need any repairs, and provide for the completion of such as have been begun, as far as the resources of the government permit; and he should appoint with the proper formalities superintendents who are diligent in their work, and also detail soldiers for the purpose of assisting the superintendents, if this should be necessary. 2As the Proconsul has complete jurisdiction, all the authority of those who dispense justice at Rome either in the capacity of magistrates or through the grant of extraordinary power, is vested in him.
8 Idem libro trigensimo nono ad edictum. et ideo maius imperium in ea provincia habet omnibus post principem.
8 The Same, On the Edict, Book XXXIX. Therefore the Proconsul has in his own province greater authority than anyone else except the Emperor.
9 Idem libro primo de officio proconsulis. Nec quicquam est in provincia, quod non per ipsum expediatur. sane si fiscalis pecuniaria causa sit, quae ad procuratorem principis respicit, melius fecerit, si abstineat. 1Ubi decretum necessarium est, per libellum id expedire proconsul non poterit: omnia enim, quaecumque causae cognitionem desiderant, per libellum non possunt expediri. 2Circa advocatos patientem esse proconsulem oportet, sed cum ingenio, ne contemptibilis videatur, nec adeo dissimulare, si quos causarum concinnatores vel redemptores depraehendat, eosque solos pati postulare, quibus per edictum eius postulare permittitur. 3De plano autem proconsul potest expedire haec: ut obsequium parentibus et patronis liberisque patronorum exhiberi iubeat: comminari etiam et terrere filium a patre oblatum, qui non ut oportet conversari dicatur, poterit de plano: similiter et libertum non obsequentem emendare aut verbis aut fustium castigatione. 4Observare itaque eum oportet, ut sit ordo aliquis postulationum, scilicet ut omnium desideria audiantur, ne forte dum honori postulantium datur vel improbitati ceditur, mediocres desideria sua non proferant, qui aut omnino non adhibuerunt, aut minus frequentes neque in aliqua dignitate positos advocatos sibi prospexerunt. 5Advocatos quoque petentibus debebit indulgere plerumque: feminis vel pupillis vel alias debilibus vel his, qui suae mentis non sunt, si quis eis petat: vel si nemo sit qui petat, ultro eis dare debebit. sed si qui per potentiam adversarii non invenire se advocatum dicat, aeque oportebit ei advocatum dare. ceterum oprimi aliquem per adversarii sui potentiam non oportet: hoc enim etiam ad invidiam eius qui provinciae praeest spectat, si quis tam impotenter se gerat, ut omnes metuant adversus eum advocationem suscipere. 6Quae etiam omnium praesidum communia sunt et debent et ab his observari.
9 The Same, On the Duties of Proconsul, Book I. Nor can any question arise in his province which he cannot himself dispose of. However, if any matter relating to the affairs of the Treasury arises and which belongs to the jurisdiction of the Imperial Steward, it will be better for him to pass it by. 1In cases where a decree is necessary, the Proconsul cannot dispose of the same by means of a notice by the plaintiff, for all things whatsoever which demand judicial investigation cannot be terminated in this way. 2The Proconsul must hear the advocates with patience and also with discernment, lest he appear contemptible; nor ought he to dissimulate if he ascertains that parties have trumped up cases, or purchased the right to litigation; and he should only suffer those to institute proceedings who are permitted to do so by his Edict. 3The Proconsul has power to dispose of the following matters extrajudicially; he can order persons to show proper respect to their parents, and freedmen to their patrons and the children of the latter; he can also threaten and severely menace a son brought before him by his father and who is said not to be living as he should. He can, in like manner, correct an impudent freedman either by reproof or by castigation. 4Hence he should be careful to have a certain order prevail in legal procedure, namely, that the petitions of all persons shall be heard; lest it may happen that if the rank of some is favored, or attention is paid to others as are not worthy, those of moderate pretensions who have no one to appear for them, or having employed advocates of small experience or no standing, may not be able to properly present their claims. 5He must also appoint advocates for those who request it, and especially for female wards or persons otherwise incapacitated; as well as for those who are out of their minds, if anyone petitions him to do so for them; and if there is no one to request it, he can grant this at his own instance. He must also appoint an advocate for any person who alleges that he cannot himself find one on account of the influence of his adversary, as it is not just for anyone to be oppressed by the superior power of his adversary; for this, indeed, has a tendency to reflect upon the Governor of the province, where anyone acts with so little self-control that all are afraid to appear as advocates against him. 6These rules are applicable to all Governors, and should be observed by them.
10 Idem libro decimo de officio proconsulis. Meminisse oportebit usque ad adventum successoris omnia debere proconsulem agere, cum sit unus proconsulatus et utilitas provinciae exigat esse aliquem, per quem negotia sua provinciales explicent: ergo in adventum successoris debebit ius dicere. 1Legatum suum ne ante se de provincia dimittat, et lege Iulia repetundarum et rescripto divi Hadriani ad Calpurnium Rufum proconsulem Achaiae admonetur.
10 The Same, on the Duties of Proconsul, Book X. The Proconsul must remember that he ought to perform all his duties until the arrival of his successor, for the reason that there is but one Proconsulate, and the welfare of the province requires that there should always be someone through whom the people may transact their business; he should therefore administer justice until the arrival of his successor. 1The Lex Julia Concerning Extortion and the Rescript of the Emperor Hadrian to Calpurnius Rufus, Proconsul of Achaia, forbids Proconsuls to dismiss their Deputies previously to their own departure.
11 Venuleius Saturninus libro secundo de officio proconsulis. Si quid erit quod maiorem animadversionem exigat, reicere legatus apud proconsulem debet: neque enim animadvertendi coercendi vel atrociter verberandi ius habet.
11 Venuleius Saturninus, On the Duties of Proconsul, Book II. If there is anything that demands severe punishment, the Deputy should send the case to the Proconsul; for he himself has not the right to execute, to imprison, or to scourge with great severity.
12 Paulus libro secundo ad edictum. Legatus mandata sibi iurisdictione iudicis dandi ius habet.
12 Paulus, On the Edict, Book II. A Deputy on whom jurisdiction has been conferred has the right to appoint judges.
13 Pomponius libro decimo ad Quintum Mucium. Legati proconsulis nihil proprium habent, nisi a proconsule eis mandata fuerit iurisdictio.
13 Pomponius, On Quintus Mucius, Book X. The Deputy of a Proconsul has no jurisdiction of his own where none has been conferred upon him by the Proconsul.
14 Ulpianus libro vicensimo ad legem Iuliam et Papiam. Proconsules non amplius quam sex fascibus utuntur.
14 Ulpianus, On the Lex Julia et Papia, Book XX. Proconsuls are only entitled to six lictors.
15 Licinnius Rufinus libro tertio regularum. Et legati proconsulum tutores dare possunt.
15 Licinius Rufinus, Rules, Book III. The Deputies of Proconsuls can appoint guardians.
16 Ulpianus libro secundo ad edictum. Proconsul portam Romae ingressus deponit imperium.
16 Ulpianus, On the Edict, Book II. As soon as the Proconsul enters the gate of Rome, he loses his authority.