De decretis ab ordine faciendis
(Concerning decrees which should be rendered by the order of decurions.)
1 Ulpianus libro tertio opinionum. Medicorum intra numerum praefinitum constituendorum arbitrium non praesidi provinciae commissum est, sed ordini et possessoribus cuiusque civitatis, ut certi de probitate morum et peritia artis eligant ipsi, quibus se liberosque suos in aegritudine corporum committant.
1 Ulpianus, Opinions, Book III. It is not in the discretion of the Governor of a province to determine the number of physicians to be appointed for each town, but this is the duty of the Order of Decurions and those who possess property therein, in order that, in cases of bodily illness, they may commit themselves and their children to the care of persons selected by themselves, and of whose probity and skill in their profession they are assured.
2 Marcianus libro primo publicorum. Illa decreta, quae non legitimo numero decurionum coacto facta sunt, non valent.
2 Marcianus, Public Prosecutions, Book I. Decrees that are enacted without the lawful number of decurions being present are not valid.
3 Ulpianus libro tertio de appellationibus. Lege autem municipali cavetur, ut ordo non aliter habeatur quam duabus partibus adhibitis.
3 Ulpianus, On Appeals, Book III. It is provided by municipal law that the Order of Decurions shall not be considered to have assembled, unless two-thirds of the members are present.
4 Ulpianus libro singulari de officio curatoris rei publicae. Ambitiosa decreta decurionum rescindi debent, sive aliquem debitorem dimiserint sive largiti sunt. 1Proinde, ut solent, sive decreverint de publico alicuius vel praedia vel aedes vel certam quantitatem praestari, nihil valebit huiusmodi decretum. 2Sed et si salarium alicui decuriones decreverint, decretum id nonnumquam ullius erit momenti: ut puta si ob liberalem artem fuerit constitutum vel ob medicinam: ob has enim causas licet constitui salaria.
4 The Same, On the Duties of the Principal Magistrate of the City. The decrees of decurions granted for the sake of popularity should be set aside, whether they have discharged debtors, or have authorized donations. 1Hence if, as is customary, they have disposed of any lands, houses, or sums of money belonging to the public in this way, such a decree will be void. 2But if the decurions have ordered money to be paid to anyone by way of compensation, the decree will not always be of no force or effect; as, for example, where a grant has been made on account of some of the liberal arts, or for medicine, as appropriations can legally be made for this purpose.
5 Callistratus libro secundo de cognitionibus. Quod semel ordo decrevit, non oportere id rescindi divus Hadrianus Nicomedensibus rescripsit nisi ex causa: id est si ad publicam utilitatem respiciat rescissio prioris decreti.
5 Callistratus, On Judicial Inquiries, Book II. The Divine Hadrian stated in a Rescript addressed to the people of Nicomedia that where the Order of Decurions had once issued a decree it should not be rescinded, except for some good reason; that is to say, where the annulment of the decree had reference to the public welfare.
6 Scaevola libro primo digestorum. Municipii lege ita cautum erat: ‘ἐάν τις ἔξω τοῦ συνεδρίου δικάσηται, τοῦ τε συνεδρίου εἰργέσθω καὶ προσαποτιννύτω δράχμας χιλίασ’. quaesitum est, an poenam sustinere debeat, qui ignorans adversus decretum fecit. respondit et huiusmodi poenas adversus scientes paratas esse.
6 Scævola, Digest, Book I. The following was provided by municipal law: “When anyone renders judgment outside of the council, he shall be expelled from the council, or order, and shall pay a thousand drachmas.” The question arose whether he should be subjected to the penalty if he was ignorant that he had violated the law. The answer was that penalties of this kind were only intended for those who knew that they were acting illegally.