De vacatione et excusatione munerum
(Concerning Exemption and Excuses From Employments.)
1 Ulpianus libro secundo opinionum. Omnis excusatio sua aequitate nititur. sed si praetendentibus aliquod sine iudice credatur, aut passim sine temporis praefinitione, prout cuique libuerit, permissum fuerit se excusare, non erunt, qui munera necessaria in rebus publicis obeant. quare et qui liberorum incolumium iure a muneribus civilibus sibi vindicant excusationem, appellationem interponere debent: et qui tempora praefinita in ordine eiusmodi appellationum peragendo non servaverint, merito praescriptione repelluntur. 1Qui excusatione aliqua utuntur, quotienscumque creati fuerint, etsi iam ante absoluti sunt, necesse habent appellare. sed si per calumniam et saepius idem adversarius vexandi gratia eius, quem scit perpetua vacatione subnixum, id facere probatus erit, sumptus litis exemplo decretorum principalium praestare iubeatur ei, quem sine causa saepius inquietavit. 2Qui in fraudem ordinis in honoribus gerendis, cum inter eos ad primos honores creari possint qui in civitate munerabantur, evitandorum maiorum onerum gratia ad colonos praediorum se transtulerunt, ut minoribus subiciantur, hanc excusationem sibi non paraverunt. 3Quamvis sexaginta quinque annorum aliquis sit et tres liberos incolumes habeat, a muneribus tamen civilibus propter has causas non liberatur.
1 Ulpianus, Opinions, Book II. Every excuse should be based upon justice. But if confidence should be placed in persons claiming exemption, without a hearing in court, or indiscriminately, without any limitation of time, as each one may choose, and if each one should be permitted to excuse himself, there would not be enough persons to discharge the duties of public office. Therefore, when any persons claim exemption from a public office on account of the number of their children, they should take an appeal, and those who do not observe the time prescribed for the prosecution of an appeal of this kind are with good reason excluded from the benefit of an exception. 1Those who avail themselves of an excuse, and are discharged in consequence, must appeal every time that they are appointed afterwards. When, however, this adversary is proved to have acted through malice, and for the purpose of subjecting them to frequent annoyance, although he is aware that they are entitled to perpetual exemption, the Governor shall order him who is responsible for this annoyance to pay the expenses of litigation, as in the case of the Imperial Decrees. 2Persons eligible to the highest honors, and included among the citizens of a town who, with the design of defrauding their order, betake themselves to the country for the purpose of avoiding the responsibilities of the higher offices, and still remain liable to those attaching to inferior ones, cannot avail themselves of this excuse. 3Although a man may be sixty-five years of age, and have three living children, he cannot, for these reasons, be released from performing the duties of civil employment.
2 Idem libro tertio opinionum. Sextum decimum aetatis annum agentem ad munus sitoniae vocari non oportet: sed si nihil proprie in patria servatur de minoribus quoque annis viginti quinque ad munera sive honores creandi, iusta aetas servanda est. 1Numerus liberorum aut septuaginta annorum ab honoribus aut muneribus his cohaerentibus excusationem non praestat, sed a muneribus tantum civilibus. 2Adoptivi filii in numerum non proficiunt eorum liberorum, qui excusare parentes solent. 3Qui ad munera vocantur, vivorum se liberorum numerum habere tempore, quo propter eos excusari desiderant, probare debent: numerus enim liberorum postea impletus susceptis antea muneribus non liberat. 4Quae patrimoniorum onera sunt, numero liberorum non excusantur. 5Incolumes liberi, etiamsi in potestate patri suo desierint esse, excusationem a muneribus civilibus praestant. 6Minus audiens inmunitatem civilium munerum non habet. 7Quem ita senio et corporis inbecillitate vexari praeses animadverterit, ut muneri perferendae pecuniae non sufficiat, dimittat et alium constituat. 7aCorporis debilitas eorum munerum excusationem praestat, quae tantum corpore implenda sunt. ceterum quae consilio prudentis viri vel patrimonio sufficientis in homines obiri possunt, nisi certis et receptis probabilibus causis non remittuntur. 8Qui pueros primas litteras docent, inmunitatem a civilibus muneribus non habent: sed ne cui eorum id quod supra vires sit indicatur, ad praesidis religionem pertinet, sive in civitatibus sive in vicis primas litteras magistri doceant.
2 The Same, Opinions, Book III. A minor of sixteen years of age cannot be charged with the duty of the purchase of grain, if this is not customary in the place of his birth. The same rule applies to minors under twenty-five years of age, if they are appointed to municipal employments or honors. 1Neither the number of children, nor the age of seventy years, is a good excuse where honors or offices are united, but only exempts a person from civil employments. 2Adopted children are not included in the number of those who ordinarily excuse fathers from public duties. 3Those who are called to perform the functions of public officials must prove that they have the prescribed number of children at the time when they wish to be excused on this account; for if the number of children should afterwards be completed, it will not release them, if they have previously undertaken the employment. 4Where patrimonial employments exist, the number of children is no excuse. 5Children, even if they have ceased to be under the control of their father, afford a valid excuse for exemption from civil employments. 6A person who hears with difficulty is not entitled to exemption from civil employments. 7When the Governor of a province perceives that anyone is oppressed with age and bodily infirmity, or has not sufficient money to administer the office, he can discharge him and appoint another. 7aInfirmity of body is a valid excuse from public employment, where only corporeal labor is concerned. Those, however, who can assist with their advice as well-informed men, or who are competent to discharge the duties of the office, should not be excused, except for good and sufficient reasons. 8Those who teach children the first rudiments of learning are not entitled to exemption from civil employments. It is, however, a part of the duty of a Governor to see that an office is not assigned to anyone which is beyond his capacity, whether such a person is teaching the primary branches of knowledge in a city or in a village.
3 Scaevola libro tertio regularum. His, qui naves marinas fabricaverunt et ad annonam populi Romani praefuerint non minores quinquaginta milium modiorum aut plures singulas non minores decem milium modiorum, donec hae naves navigant aut aliae in earum locum, muneris publici vacatio praestatur ob navem. senatores autem hanc vacationem habere non possunt, quod nec habere illis navem ex lege Iulia repetundarum licet.
3 Scævola, Rules, Book III. Exemption from public employments is granted to those who have constructed ships destined for the transport of provisions for the Roman people, which have a capacity of not less than fifty thousand measures of grain, or several, each of which has a capacity of not less than ten thousand measures, as long as the said ships are suitable for navigation, or where they provide others in their stead. Senators, however, are not entitled to this exemption. According to the Julian Law on Extortions, they have no right to have ships.
4 Neratius libro primo membranarum. Tempus vacationis, quod datur eis qui rei publicae causa afuerunt, non ex eo die numerandum est, quo quis abesse desiit, sed cum quodam laxamento itineris: neque enim minus abesse rei publicae causa intellegendus est, qui ad id negotium vel ab eo revertitur. si quis tamen plus iusto temporis aut itinere aut in alio loco commoratus consumpserit, ita ea interpretanda erit, ut ex eo tempore vacationis dies incipiat ei cedere, quo iter ex commodo peragere potuisset.
4 Neratius, Parchments, Book I. The term of exemption which is conceded to those who are absent on business for the State should not be calculated from the day on which the person ceased to be absent, but some time should be allowed him to rest after his journey; and he is still understood to be absent in the public service if he transacts any business either while going or returning. But if anyone delays longer than is proper while on his way, or in any place, in this instance, the time of exemption should be understood to begin from the date when he could have conveniently concluded his journey.
5 Macer libro secundo de officio praesidis. A decurionatu, quamvis hic quoque honor est, ad alium honorem nullam vacationem tribuendam Ulpianus respondit.
5 Macer, On the Duties of Governor, Book II. Ulpianus gave it as his opinion that no exemption should be granted to any other office while anyone was called to it from the decurionate.
6 Papinianus libro secundo quaestionum. Hi, qui muneris publici vacationem habent, ad ea, quae extra ordinem imperantur, compelli non solent.
6 Papinianus, Questions, Book II. He who is entitled to exemption from public employments cannot be compelled to assume the duties of one which is extraordinary, and which he has been commanded to exercise.
7 Idem libro trigensimo sexto quaestionum. A muneribus, quae non patrimoniis indicuntur, veterani post optimi nostri Severi Augusti litteras perpetuo excusantur.
7 The Same, Questions, Book XXXVI. According to the Decrees of our most Excellent Emperor Severus, veterans are excused for life from the exercise of public employments which are not imposed as patrimonial.
8 Idem libro primo responsorum. In honoribus delatis neque maior annis septuaginta neque pater numero quinque liberorum excusatur. sed in Asia sacerdotium provinciae suscipere non coguntur numero liberorum quinque subnixi: quod optimus maximusque princeps noster Severus Augustus decrevit ac postea in ceteris provinciis servandum esse constituit. 1Non alios fisci vectigalium redemptores a muneribus civilibus ac tutelis excusari placuit, quam eos, qui praesentes negotium exercerent. 2Vacationum privilegia non spectant liberos veteranorum. 3Qui muneris publici vacationem habet, per magistratus ex inproviso collationes indictas recte recusat: eas vero, quae e lege fiunt, recusare non debet. 4Philosophis, qui se frequentes atque utiles per eandem studiorum sectam contendentibus praebent, tutelas, item munera sordida corporalia remitti placuit, non ea, quae sumptibus expediuntur: etenim vere philosophantes pecuniam contemnunt, cuius retinendae cupidine fictam adseverationem detegunt. 5Qui maximos principes appellavit et causam propriam acturus Romam profectus est: quoad cognitio finem accipiat, ab honoribus et civilibus muneribus apud suos excusatur.
8 The Same, Opinions, Book I. When a person is appointed to municipal honors, neither the age of seventy years, nor the fact that he is the father of five children, can be advanced as an excuse. Our Great Emperor Severus decreed that in Asia, men who had five children could not be compelled to assume the sacerdotal duties of the province, and he afterwards decided that this rule should be observed in the other provinces. 1It is settled that no other farmers of the revenue except those who are engaged in that occupation at the time can be excused from civil employments and guardianships. 2The privileges of exemption do not apply to the children of veterans. 3Those who have obtained exemption from public employments are not compelled to pay contributions unexpectedly imposed upon them by magistrates, but they cannot avoid paying those which are imposed by law. 4It has been decided that philosophers, who frequently and usefully employ their time for the benefit of those who are pursuing the studies of their school, are excused from guardianships and other employments requiring corporeal exertion, but they are not excused from those which involve the payment of expenses; for true philosophers despise money, and expose the false statements of the philosophical impostors who are desirous of having it. 5Anyone who has appealed to the Emperor, and goes to Rome with the intention of conducting his own lawsuit, is excused from municipal honors and employments until his case has been decided.
9 Paulus libro primo responsorum. Eos, qui Romae profitentur, proinde in patria sua excusari muneribus oportere, ac si in patria sua profiterentur. 1Paulus respondit privilegium frumentariis negotiatoribus concessum etiam ad honores excusandos pertinere.
10 Idem libro primo sententiarum. Ab his oneribus, quae possessionibus vel patrimonio indicuntur, nulla privilegia praestant vacationem. 1Corpus mensurarum frumenti iuxta annonam urbis habet vacationem: in provinciis non idem. 2Angariorum praestatio et recipiendi hospitis necessitas et militi et liberalium artium professoribus inter cetera remissa sunt. 3Auctis post appellationem medio tempore facultatibus paupertatis optentu non excusantur. 4Defensores rei publicae ab honoribus et muneribus eodem tempore vacant.
10 The Same, Sentences, Book I. No privilege is available as an excuse to exempt persons from those employments which arise from possession, or which are patrimonial. 1Those who are charged with the measurement of grain, with a view to supplying the City of Rome, are entitled to exemption; but the same rule does not apply to the provinces. 2The furnishing of horses for posts, and the necessity of receiving strangers as guests, are requirements not imposed upon soldiers and professors of the liberal arts. 3The excuse of poverty cannot be alleged by anyone after an appeal, if, in the meantime, his property has increased in value. 4Public defenders are entitled to exemption from offices and employments for the same length of time.
11 Hermogenianus libro primo iuris epitomarum. Sunt munera, quae rei proprie cohaerent, de quibus neque liberi neque aetas nec merita militiae nec ullum aliud privilegium iure tribuit excusationem: ut sit praediorum collatio viae sternendae, angariorumve exhibitio, hospitis suscipiendi munus (nam nec huius quisquam excusationem praeter eos, quibus principali beneficio concessum est, habet) et si qua sunt praeterea alia huiusmodi.
11 Hermogenianus, Epitomes of Law, Book I. There are public duties which attach to property, and with reference to which neither children, slaves, the merits of military service, nor any other privilege affords a legal excuse. As, for instance, those relating to the contribution of land, the paving of highways, the provision of horses and vehicles for posts, and the requirement to contribute to the lodging of strangers; for no one has a right to an excuse of this kind except those to whom it has been especially conceded by the favor of the Emperor; and this applies to any other exemptions of this kind.
12 Paulus libro primo sententiarum. Legato, qui publicum negotium tuitus sit, intra tempora vacationis praestituta rursum eiusdem negotii defensio mandari non potest. 1Comites praesidum et proconsulum procuratorumve Caesaris a muneribus vel honoribus et tutelis vacant.
12 Paulus, Sentences, Book I. The defence in the same case cannot, a second time, be committed to the representative of the government who previously appeared, before the prescribed time of exemption has elapsed. 1The attendants of Governors, Proconsuls, and agents of the Emperor are excused from offices or honors, and guardianships.
13 Ulpianus libro vicensimo tertio ad edictum. Praetor eos, quoscumque intellegit operam dare non posse ad iudicandum, pollicetur se excusaturum: forte quod in perpetuum quis operam dare non potest, quod in eam valetudinem incidit, ut certum sit eum civilia officia subire non posse: aut si alio morbo laboret, ut suis rebus superesse non possit: vel si quid sacerdotium nancti sint, ut discedere ab eo sine religione non possint. nam et hi in perpetuum excusantur. 1Duo genera tribuendae muneris publici vacationis sunt, unum plenius, cum et militiae datur, aliud exiguius, cum nudam muneris vacationem acceperint. 2Qui autem non habet excusationem, etiam invitus iudicare cogitur. 3Si post causam actam coeperit se excusare iudex, si quidem privilegio, quod habuit antequam susciperet iudicium, velit se excusare, nec audiendus est: semel enim adgnoscendo iudicium renuntiat excusationi. quod si postea iusta causa incidit, ut iudex vel ad tempus excusetur, non debet in alium iudicium transferri, si cum captione id futurum est alterutrius. tolerabilius denique est interdum iudicem qui semel cognoverat tantisper exspectare, quam iudici novo rem rursum iudicandam committere.
13 Ulpianus, On the Edict, Book XXII. When the Prætor ascertains that anyone is unable to act as judge, he promises to excuse him; for instance, where he cannot serve on account of bad health, and it is certain that he is incapable of discharging the duties appertaining to a civil office; or when he is suffering under some disease which prevents him from transacting his own business; or if he is performing sacerdotal duties, and cannot conscientiously relinquish them; for such persons are excused for life. 1There are two ways of granting exemption from public employment: one, which is permanent, such as is granted to a soldier; another, which is for a short time, as when anyone obtains the mere exemption from an employment. 2Moreover, anyone who has no excuse can even be compelled to act as judge against his will. 3If a judge desires to excuse himself on account of the privilege to which he was entitled before he accepted the office, and this is done after he has begun to take cognizance of a case, he should not be heard; for by once accepting the office he renounces all right to an excuse. If, however, some just cause should afterwards arise so that he can temporarily be excused, the case should not be submitted to another magistrate, if there is any danger of either of the parties suffering injustice; for it is sometimes better to wait until the judge who has once taken cognizance of the case can return than to commit it to another to be decided.
14 Modestinus libro septimo regularum. Ad excusationem munerum defunctus filius non prosit, praeterquam in bello amissus. 1Eodem tempore idem duas curas operis non administrabit.