Codified by Justinian I and published under his aegis in A.D. 533, this celebrated work of legal history forms a fascinating picture of ordinary life in Rome.
At the opening of the sixth century, large segments of the Roman Empire had fallen to barbarian warlords. The Churches of Rome and Constantinople were locked in a schism rooted in different attitudes towards the decrees and definitions of the Fourth Ecumenical council held at Chalcedon in 451. The emperor Justinian (527-565) dreamed of reunifying and restoring the Empire; but to accomplish this he needed a unified Church. Before Justinian ascended the throne the schism between Rome and Constantinople had been healed, largely due to Justinian's influence, but a significant segment of the Eastern population (dubbed monophysites) would not accept the union and the imperial church remained divided.
An abridged collection of the laws passed during the reign of the Emperor Justinian I. Most of them deal directly with the administration of the church within the empire, its relationship to the authority of the state and the person of the emperor, and the criminality of heresy within the imperial realm itself.
This work from the late Empire attributed to Emperor Justinian, emphasizes the importance of unity in the Christian faith, particularly regarding the nature of God and the person of Jesus Christ. It articulates a clear stance against heretical views such as Sabellianism and Arianism, affirming the doctrine of the Trinity as one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The text also elaborates on the incarnation of Jesus, asserting that He is both fully divine and fully human, capable of suffering and performing miracles, thus reinforcing the belief that faith should be placed in the Word of God.
This work explains the theological concept of Christ's dual nature, asserting that He is both fully divine and fully human. It highlights the incomprehensible union of these natures, which do not confuse or divide but coexist in harmony. The text references the teachings of holy figures such as Cyril and Justinian, who articulate that Christ's suffering and divine nature work together in a mysterious economy. It concludes by affirming that both His divine and human attributes are essential for understanding His role as Savior, emphasizing the inseparability of His natures in the context of Christian faith.
Codified by Justinian I and published under his aegis in A.D. 533, this celebrated work of legal history forms a fascinating picture of ordinary life in Rome.
At the opening of the sixth century, large segments of the Roman Empire had fallen to barbarian warlords. The Churches of Rome and Constantinople were locked in a schism rooted in different attitudes towards the decrees and definitions of the Fourth Ecumenical council held at Chalcedon in 451. The emperor Justinian (527-565) dreamed of reunifying and restoring the Empire; but to accomplish this he needed a unified Church. Before Justinian ascended the throne the schism between Rome and Constantinople had been healed, largely due to Justinian's influence, but a significant segment of the Eastern population (dubbed monophysites) would not accept the union and the imperial church remained divided.
To the youth desirous of studying the law: The imperial majesty should be armed with laws as well as glorified with arms, that there may be good government in times both of war and of peace, and the ruler of Rome may not only be victorious over his enemies, but may show himself as scrupulously regardful of justice as triumphant over his conquered foes.
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