Epistula Honorii: note esegetiche e riflessioni storico-giuridiche

Abstract

Summary More than 430 fragments contained in the Theodosian Code can be traced back to laws by Honorius. The reason for this immense amount of costitutiones is to be found in the variety of issues he had to face during his rather long empire (395–423). Beyond those passed down in official Codes, a number of other laws issued under Honorius are attested by literary or historical sources. The purpose of this paper is to present, analyze and comment on the Epistula Honorii, a quite neglected rescript copied down in a Spanish volume of miscellaneous manuscripts from the end of the 10th century. The document, addressed to troops stationed in the city of Pamplona, grants certain benefits to these soldiers, namely an increase of their stipendium and the hospitium. After focusing on its dating and the problematic interpretation of its text, it will be compared to other laws by Honorius on similar topics.