Roman Law and Religious Tolerance in the Beginning of The ІV-th Century Cover Image

Римското право и религиозната толерантност в началото на ІV в.
Roman Law and Religious Tolerance in the Beginning of The ІV-th Century

Author(s): Malina Novkirishka- Stoyanova
Subject(s): Law, Constitution, Jurisprudence, History of Law, Canon Law / Church Law
Published by: Нов български университет
Keywords: Edict of Milan of 313; Roman Law, Religious tolerance; Christianity; Emperors Constantine and Licinius Constitutitons

Summary/Abstract: The author makes an analysis of the two basic instruments, which mark the beginning of a new policy of religious tolerance following the times of the harsh persecution of Christians at the beginning of the ІVth century, namely the Edict of Serdica of 311, ussued by the Emperor Galerius and the so-called Edict of Milan of 313, issued by the Emperors Constantine and Licinius. In the study there is a comparative analysis of the two Emperors’ Constitutions. Of particular importance are the findings about the legal essence of the Edict of Milan and its legal consequences with regard to Christians, which by now have not been under particular consideration in Bulgarian historical, legal and Roman literature. The paper provides an opportunity for a new interpretation of both the contents of the Edict of Milan of 313 and its significance for the Christian population in the context of the 17th century Anniversary of the date of its promulgation, which was officially marked in 2013.

  • Issue Year: 2013
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 22-49
  • Page Count: 28
  • Language: Bulgarian