Saturninus, On the Duties of Proconsul, Book I. The Divine Hadrian decided that anyone who was of age, and permitted himself to be sold in order that he might receive a portion of the price, should be forbidden to bring an action to obtain his freedom; but that he could do so under certain circumstances, if he returned his share of the price which had been paid. 1Those who are freedmen, and assert their claim to freedom by birth, shall not be heard after the lapse of five years from the date of their manumission. 2Those who, after the lapse of five years, allege that they have discovered documents establishing their rights to be considered freeborn, must have recourse to the Emperor, who will examine their claims.

Venuleius Saturninus, On the Duties of Proconsul, Book I. It is the rule that if soldiers commit a crime, they must be sent back to the officer under whom they served. The general in chief has a right to punish all soldiers under his command.

Venuleius Saturninus, On the Duties of Proconsul, Book I. He who delivers a slave to be castrated shall be punished by a fine of half his property, under a decree of the Senate enacted during the Consulate of Neratius Priscus and Annius Verus.

Venuleius Saturninus, On the Duties of Proconsul, Book I. The Divine Hadrian forbade those included in the order of decurions to be punished capitally, unless they had killed one of their parents. It is, however, very clearly provided by the Imperial Mandates, that they should suffer the penalty of the Cornelian Law.

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.

Venuleius, On the Office of Proconsul, Book II. The magistrates of every district should be careful to afford facilities to all who wish to make wills, and themselves be witnesses and sign wills with others, by means of which matters may be more easily explained, and the proof of facts be secure.

The Same, On the Duties of Proconsul, Book II. To prevent anyone from dismissing prisoners without sufficient reason, it is provided as follows by the Imperial Mandates: “If you know that imprisoned persons have been released too soon, and without good cause by the magistrates, you will order them to be placed in custody, and you will fine those who released them; for when the magistrates know that they themselves will be punished if they discharge prisoners too readily, they will not do so again without proper investigation.”

Venuleius Saturninus, On the Duties of Proconsul, Book II. One can appeal from the Governor to the Proconsul, and if he has imposed a fine, the Proconsul can take cognizance of his injustice, and decide whatever he thinks best.