THE INSTITUTES OF JUSTINIAN

Translated into English by J. B. Moyle, D.C.L.
of Lincoln's Inn, Barrister-at-Law,
Fellow and Late Tutor of New College, Oxford

Fifth Edition (1913)



* PROOEMIVM *

In the name of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The Emperor Caesar Flavius Justinian, conqueror of the
Alamanni, the Goths, the Franks, the Germans, the Antes,
the Alani, the Vandals, the Africans, pious, prosperous,
renowned, victorious, and triumphant, ever august,

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.

With deepest application and forethought, and by the blessing
of God, we have attained both of these objects. The barbarian
nations which we have subjugated know our valour, Africa and