Where anyone states that he is in the possession of any fact which should be brought to the notice of the king, and should be, at the time, in the place where the court was sojourning, he shall straightway reveal all that he knows, or shall communicate it to the ears of the king through the agency of some reliable person. If, however, at the time, the king should be at a distance, and the said party should believe that information in his possession relating to the accusation of another, ought to be sent to the king by the hands of a messenger, he must draw up a letter, and in it set forth plainly what he wishes to say concerning the alleged guilt of the accused; and he must do this in the presence of him whom he has selected to convey the information to the king. And, in order that he may not be able to deny the aforesaid communication, three witnesses, known to be men of respectable character, must, in the presence of one another, affix their seals or signatures to said letter.

FLAVIUS CHINTASVINTUS KING.

VI. How Kings should Practice the Duties of Mercy.

Whenever a supplication is made to us on behalf of those who have been implicated in any crime against our majesty, we willingly give attention to such appeals, and exercise the prerogative of mercy when it is consistent with our power. We must, however, refuse to interfere when a crime of this kind has been committed against the nation and our country. Yet, if a prince should desire to be merciful to persons of such wicked character, he shall have the right to do so, with the approval of the ecclesiastics and the principal officers of the court.

VII. He Alone shall be Considered Guilty who Committed the Crime.

Punishment for all crimes shall be visited upon the authors of the same; and a father shall suffer no penalty on account of his son; nor a son on account of his father; nor a wife on account of her husband; nor a husband on account of his wife; nor a brother on account of his brother; nor one neighbor on account of another; nor any person on account of a relative; but he alone shall be adjudged to be guilty who is responsible for the offence, and the crime shall die with him who committed it. Neither successors nor heirs shall, under any circumstances, be placed in jeopardy on account of the acts of their parents.

TITLE II. CONCERNING MALEFACTORS AND THEIR ADVISERS, AND POISONERS.

I.Where a Freeborn Man Consults with a Soothsayer Concerning the Health, or the Death of Another.
II.Concerning Poisoners.
III.Concerning Malefactors and their Advisers.
IV.Concerning Those who are Guilty of Acts of Witchcraft, or any Injury, towards Men, Animals, or any kind of Property whatsoever.

FLAVIUS CHINTASVINTUS, KING.

I. Where a Freeborn Man Consults with a Soothsayer Concerning the Health, or the Death of Another.