Manumissio in ecclesia (prepustenie z otroctva pred cirkvou)
Manumissio in Ecclesia (Release from Slavery Before the Church)
Author(s): Matúš NemecSubject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, History of Church(es), History of Law, Ancient World, History of Religion, Roman law
Published by: Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Nakladatelství Karolinum
Keywords: Roman law; manumission; Justinian Code; Christian religion; manumissio in ecclesia; civitas libertas ecclesiae; church council
Summary/Abstract: Roman legal sources record several methods of manumission of slaves, which have developed in roman civil and praetorian law. Justinian Code regulates one special method (manumissio in ecclesia) in two fragments, which was introduced by Emperor Constantine as a result of his religious policy, favoring the Christian Church and the Christian religion. Although this idea is partly based on the Hellenistic or Jewish tradition of manumission in sacred place before audience as witnesses, its form follows Roman forms (manners) of law, especially manumissio vindicta or manumissio per amicos. Manumissio in ecclesia supported the concept and idea of Emperor Constantine’s policy, which supported Christianity and reinforced the new (Christian) character of Roman society. In many of its forms (ceremonies), Constantine has prepared through his religious policy the way for the recognition of Christianity as a state religion.
Journal: Právněhistorické studie
- Issue Year: 55/2025
- Issue No: 3
- Page Range: 167-173
- Page Count: 7
- Language: Slovak
