Edict

work by Theodoric

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July 17, 2026

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Theodoric's Edict, published in the early 6th century, was a collection of 154 rules and regulations. These were not new laws but restatements of existing Roman laws, intended as a guide for judges. The Edict applied to both Goths and Romans, indicating that the Goths were to be subject to Roman law, though not Roman judges. This policy aimed to keep the two groups separate and prevent their fusion, despite the Edict's application of Roman law to the Goths. Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths in Italy from 493 to 526, sought to maintain peace and harmony between the Goths and the Roman population during his reign.1

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Theodoric
Ruler of Italy
…6th century Theodoric published his Edict, a collection of 154 rules and regulations. With one or two exceptions, these were not new laws but brief restatements in simple language of Roman laws that were already in existence. The Edict was a handbook issued for the convenience of judges, and it…
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…6th century Theodoric published his Edict, a collection of 154 rules and regulations. With one or two exceptions, these were not new laws but brief restatements in simple language of Roman laws that were already in existence. The Edict was a handbook issued for the convenience of judges, and it…
Read More