Roman Law Concerning the Jews
Time Period: Circa early 300s AD
Location: Roman Empire, Mediterranean Era, Realm of Constantine
Constantine was Roman Emperor from 306 to 337 AD. As a reformer, he enacted a number of laws to restructure the empire and solidify power. He was the first Christian Emperor and moved his residence to Byzantium/Constantinople. His Edict of Milan degreed religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire, but also a number of laws and rules that specifically affected Jews during the time. Scholars now think that the idea of religious tolerance was primarily pointed at tolerance of Christianity by Romans.
The Jews and Rome: Constantine's Christianity resulted in his being the first Roman Empire to severely limit the rights of the Jews in the Empire. As Christianity grew in power in the Empire, more and more civil authorities tried to reduce Jewish privilege. Many scholars believe that the important significance of Roman law during this time is that it placed the Jews as second-class citizens in the Empire, and began a tradition that would...
It is likely that Constantine's rules would eventually crystalize into the Code of Justinian, which would become the basis of European law during the Middle Ages.
Basic Premises of Constantine's Laws:
1. Judaism may not be a missionary religion. Jews who protest these laws or try to convert to Christianity will be killed. If, after the enactment of this law (October 18, 315), any [Jew] who dares to attack with stones or & #8230; [attaches] himself to the worship of God… will be burnt together with all of his accomplices.
2. Marriage between Jewish Men and Christian Women was banned. Marriages between Jews and Christian women… are to be dissolved.
3. Later, intermarriage was banned completely.
4. Jews could not own slaves and had limits in economic rights; by not owning slaves a Jewish merchant was at a disadvantage to Christian merchants. A Jew shall not possess a slave.
5. Jews could not hold advantageous public offices within the Roman Empire. No…
