PL 54 · cols. 620–623

Leo the Great, Letters

Letters VII–VIII

cum fraternitati tuae ex nostra delegatione coeperint, secundum ea quae scripsimus, obedire. Cognovimus sane, quod non potuimus silentio praeterire, a quibusdam fratribus solos episcopos tantum diebus Dominicis ordinari; presbyteros vero et diaconos, circa quos par consecratio fieri debet, passim quolibet die dignitatem officii sacerdotalis accipere; quod contra canones et traditionem Patrum usurpatio corrigenda committit, cum mos quibus est traditus circa omnes sacros ordines debeat omnimodis custodiri; ita ut per longa temporum curricula, qui sacerdos vel levita ordinandus est, per omnes clericalis officii ordines provehatur: ut diuturno discat tempore, cujus et doctor ipse futurus est.

[…] when they have begun to obey your fraternity by our delegation, in accordance with what we have written. We have learned, indeed, and we could not pass it over in silence, that by certain brethren only bishops are ordained on Sundays alone, while priests and deacons, in whose regard a like consecration ought to take place, receive the dignity of the priestly office everywhere on any day whatever; which is committed against the canons and the tradition of the Fathers, a usurpation to be corrected, since the custom must in every way be kept by those to whom it has been handed down concerning all the sacred orders; so that he who is to be ordained priest or Levite is advanced through all the orders of the clerical office over long courses of time, in order that he may learn over a long time that of which he himself is to be a teacher.

Data pridie idus Januarias, Theodosio XVIII et Albino coss.

Given on the day before the Ides of January, in the consulship of Theodosius (for the eighteenth time) and Albinus.

EPISTOLA VII.

LETTER VII.

AD EPISCOPOS PER ITALIAM.

TO THE BISHOPS THROUGHOUT ITALY.

Leo universis episcopis per Italiae provincias constitutis in Domino salutem.

Leo to all the bishops established throughout the provinces of Italy, greeting in the Lord.

CAP. I. — In consortium vos nostrae sollicitudinis advocamus, ut vigilantia pastorali, ne quid diabolicae licere possit astutiae, commissis vobis gregibus diligentius consulatis: ne is qui Domini misericordia revelante per nostram curam a nostris ovibus morbus abigitur, necdum vobis praemonitis, et adhuc quid agatur ignaris, per vestras se dispergat Ecclesias, et suarum furtim cuniculos inveniat latebrarum, ut quod a nobis in Urbe exstinguitur, tenebrosis apud vos radicibus seminetur. Plurimos impietatis Manichaeae sequaces et doctores in Urbe investigatio nostra reperit, vigilantia divulgavit, auctoritas et censura coercuit: quos potuimus emendare, correximus; et ut damnarent Manichaeum cum praedicationibus et disciplinis suis publica in Ecclesia

CHAP. I. — We call you into partnership in our solicitude, so that with pastoral vigilance you may take more diligent care of the flocks entrusted to you, lest anything be permitted to the cunning of the devil: lest the disease which, by the revelation of the Lord's mercy, is being driven from our sheep through our care, should, before you have been forewarned and while you are still ignorant of what is going on, scatter itself through your Churches and stealthily find the burrows of its hiding places, so that what is being extinguished by us in the City may be sown among you with roots of darkness. Our investigation has found in the City very many followers and teachers of the Manichaean impiety, our vigilance has made them known, our authority and censure have restrained them: those whom we could amend, we have corrected; and that they should condemn Manichaeus, with his preachings and teachings, in the Church […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 620

Footnotes

(h) ‹vero et diaconos,› · printed under col 619

Vide not. 7 Quesnelli.

See Quesnel's note 7.

(i) ‹accipere; quod› · printed under col 619

Vide not. 8 Quesn.

See Quesnel's note 8.

(j) ‹EPISTOLA› · printed under col 619

Al. 8. Quae autem erat. 7, nunc 2. Scr. 30 Januarii an. 444.

Elsewhere 8. And the one that was 7 is now 2. Written 30 January, in the year 444.

(k) ‹AD EPISCOPOS› · printed under col 619

Exstat haec epistola in 13 collectionibus, nimirum in 2, 5, Dionysiana 6, Hadrianea 7, Hisp. 9, Isid. 10; item in collect. 11, 12, 13, 21 et reliquis usque ad 24. In indice praemisso collectioni 5, cap. 73, inscribitur: Epistola generalis de Manichaeis.

This letter survives in 13 collections, namely in 2, 5, the Dionysian 6, the Hadrianic 7, the Spanish 9, the Isidorian 10; likewise in collections 11, 12, 13, 21 and the rest up to 24. In the index prefixed to collection 5, chap. 73, it is headed: Epistola generalis de Manichaeis.

(l) ‹SYNOPSIS› · printed under col 619

Apud Dionysium hic titulus legitur: Quod plurimi Manichaei (al., Manichaeorum) vigilantia papae Leonis in urbe Roma detecti sint.

In Dionysius this title is read: Quod plurimi Manichaei (elsewhere, Manichaeorum) vigilantia papae Leonis in urbe Roma detecti sint.

(m) ‹Leo universis› · printed under cols 619–620

Hanc inscriptionem ex Vat. pro Dionysii aliisque Hadrianeis, et Vindebon. Hisp. praeelegimus. Mss. Vat. Hisp. et Isid. cum aliis collect. 11 pro episcopis habent Ecclesiis. Cod. Corb. collect. 2 et mss. collect. 5, Universis episcopis per diversas provincias constitutis. Cod. Florentin. S. Marci collect. 13: Leo episcopus urbis Romae universis (al. omnibus) episcopis per Italiam constitutis. Vide not. Quesnelli.

We have preferred this heading from the Vatican [codex] of the pure Dionysius and other Hadrianic [codices], and the Vienna [codex] of the Spanish [collection]. The Vatican manuscripts of the Spanish [collection] and of Isidore, with others of collection 11, have Ecclesiis for episcopis. The Corbie codex of collection 2 and the manuscripts of collection 5: Universis episcopis per diversas provincias constitutis. The Florentine codex of St Mark's, collection 13: Leo episcopus urbis Romae universis (elsewhere omnibus) episcopis per Italiam constitutis. See Quesnel's note.

(n) ‹sollicitudinis advocamus› · printed under col 620

Codd. collect. Hisp. et Isid. cum aliis quatuor exinde derivatis addunt, dilectissimi fratres.

The codices of the Spanish and Isidorian collections, with four others derived from them, add dilectissimi fratres.

(o) ‹pastorali, ne quid› · printed under col 620

Vulg. ante Quesn. cum mss. collect. 12, ne quid diabolicae fraudis astutia possit nocere. Lectionem ab eo inductam ex suis codd. nostri quoque mss. libri confirmant, duobus posteriorum collectionum Vat. exceptis, in quibus, ne quid diabolicae rei astutia possit nocere.

The editions before Quesnel, with the manuscripts of collection 12: ne quid diabolicae fraudis astutia possit nocere. The reading he introduced from his codices is confirmed by our manuscript books also, except two Vatican [codices] of the later collections, in which: ne quid diabolicae rei astutia possit nocere.

(p) ‹morbus› · printed under col 620

Antiquam lectionem revocavimus auctoritate antiquissimi Vat. Dionysii, et mss. Vercell. ac duorum Vatt. Quesnellus cum aliis mss. et Justello, abjicitur.

We have restored the ancient reading on the authority of the very ancient Vatican [codex] of Dionysius, the Vercelli manuscripts and two Vatican ones. Quesnel, with other manuscripts and Justel: abjicitur.

(q) ‹ignaris,› · printed under col 620

Quesn. in marg., Dionys. per vestrae sedis pergat Ecclesias; male. Ita quidem apud Justellum, non vero in nostris Dionysii, nec in Hadrianeis codicibus.

Quesnel in the margin: Dionysius, per vestrae sedis pergat Ecclesias; wrongly. So indeed in Justel, but not in our codices of Dionysius, nor in the Hadrianic ones.

(r) ‹Ecclesias,› · printed under col 620

Codd. Corb. et Thuan. 1. Quesn., et suorum furtim cuniculorum inveniat latebram.

The Corbie and Thuanus 1 codices of Quesnel: et suorum furtim cuniculorum inveniat latebram.

(s) ‹latebrarum,› · printed under col 620

Vulg. ante Quesn. cum ms. Vercell. et Justello, ne quod, perperam.

The editions before Quesnel, with the Vercelli manuscript and Justel: ne quod, wrongly.

(t) ‹cum praedicationibus› · printed under col 620

Ita mss. Vulg. ante Quesn., et discipulis. Mox confessione in duobus Vat. et Vindebon collect. Hisp., loco professione.

So the manuscripts. The editions before Quesnel: et discipulis. Next, confessione in two Vatican [codices] and the Vienna [codex] of the Spanish collection, in place of professione.

Editors' prose

SYNOPSIS. — Plurimos Manichaeorum vigilantia sua in urbe Roma detectos esse, et pari ab eis sollicitudine investigandos admonet.

SYNOPSIS. — He reports that very many Manichaeans have been detected in the city of Rome by his vigilance, and admonishes [the bishops] that they must be searched out by them with equal solicitude.

Page

running head: shared with col 619 (619 S. LEONIS MAGNI EPISTOLAE. 620; "EPISTOLAE." and the right-hand numeral stand over col 620)
marginal letters (gutter, shared with col 619): A ‹cum fraternitati tuae›; B ‹EPISTOLA (j) VII.›; C ‹tenebrosis apud vos›; D ‹exceptis, in quibus› (in the notes)
old-edition numerals: 623 after ‹Patrum›; 624 after ‹latebrarum,›
signature: none
other: Letter VII begins in col 620 after the date of Letter VI; its synopsis is printed between the address heading and the salutation line. The word Eccle-|sia, hyphenated across the break into col 621, is set whole at the end of col 620. Notes (h)–(m), called in col 620, are printed under col 619, (m) running on under col 620

PL 54:621

professione, et manus suae subscriptione, compupulimus; et ita de voragine impietatis suae confessos, poenitentiam concedendo, levavimus. Aliquanti vero, qui ita se demerserant, ut nullum his auxiliantis posset remedium subvenire, subditi legibus, secuudum Christianorum principum constituta, ne sanctum gregem sua contagione polluerent, per publicos judices perpetuo sunt exsilio relegati. Et omnia quae tam in Scripturis quam in occultis traditionibus suis habent profana vel turpia, ut nosset populus quid refugeret aut vitaret, oculis Christianae plebis certa manifestatione probavimus: adeo ut ipse qui eorum dicebatur episcopus, a nobis tentus, proderet flagitiosa in suis mysticis quae teneret, sicut gestorum vos series poterit edocere. Ad instructionem enim vestram etiam ipsa direximus: quibus lectis, omnia quae a nobis deprehensa sunt nosse poteritis.

[…] by public profession and by the subscription of their own hand, we compelled [them]; and so, when they had confessed, we raised them from the abyss of their impiety by granting them penance. But some, who had so sunk themselves that no remedy of one helping them could come to their aid, were made subject to the laws, according to the ordinances of the Christian princes, and, lest they should pollute the holy flock with their contagion, were banished by the public judges into perpetual exile. And all the profane or shameful things that they have, both in their Scriptures and in their secret traditions, we have proved before the eyes of the Christian people by a sure demonstration, so that the people might know what to shun or avoid: so much so that he himself who was called their bishop, being held by us, disclosed the shameful things that he held in their mysteries, as the record of the proceedings will be able to show you. For we have sent the proceedings themselves too for your instruction: when you have read them, you will be able to know all the things that have been detected by us.

CAP. II. — Et quia aliquantos de his, quos hic, ne se absolverent, arctior reatus involverat, cognovimus aufugisse: hanc ad dilectionem vestram epistolam misimus per acolythum nostrum; ut effecta certior sanctitas vestra, fratres charissimi, sollicitius agere dignetur et cautius, necubi Manichaeae perversitatis homines plebes vestras facultatem laedendi, et hujus sacrilegii possint invenire doctores. Aliter enim nobis commissos regere non possumus, nisi hos, qui sunt perditores et perditi, zelo fidei Dominicae persequamur; et a sanis mentibus, ne pestis haec latius divulgetur, severitate qua possumus

CHAP. II. — And since we have learned that some of those whom a closer guilt had entangled here, so that they could not clear themselves, have fled, we have sent this letter to your affection by our acolyte, so that your holiness, dearest brethren, having been informed, may deign to act more carefully and cautiously, lest anywhere the men of the Manichaean perversity may find opportunity of harming your peoples, and teachers of this sacrilege. For we cannot otherwise rule those entrusted to us unless we pursue with zeal for the Lord's faith these men, who are destroyers and destroyed; and, lest this pestilence spread more widely, [them] from sound minds with what severity we can […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 621

Footnotes

(a) ‹qui ita› · printed under col 621

Quesnellus et duo nostri inferioris notae codices, se demerserunt, ut nullo his auxilii possit remedio subveniri. Secuti sumus veterem lectionem, quae est in mss. collectionum Dionysii, Hadrian., Hisp., Isid. 12 et ⟨2⟩4, nec non apud Justellum. In Vindebon, coll. 5, se demerserunt, ut nullum his auxiliantis possit remedium subvenire.

Quesnel and two of our codices of lesser note: se demerserunt, ut nullo his auxilii possit remedio subveniri. We have followed the old reading, which is in the manuscripts of the Dionysian, Hadrianic, Spanish and Isidorian collections, 12 and 24, and also in Justel. In the Vienna [codex] of collection 5: se demerserunt, ut nullum his auxiliantis possit remedium subvenire.

(b) ‹refugeret aut› · printed under col 621

Quatuor mss. addunt quid.

Four manuscripts add quid.

Cod. Vat. 543 collect. 21, qui dicebatur episcoporum episcopus. Hic autem in sermone 16, de Jejun. decimi mensis 5 dicitur, episcopus ipsorum detestandi criminis ordinator.

The Vatican codex 543 of collection 21: qui dicebatur episcoporum episcopus. This man, moreover, is called in sermon 16, On the Fast of the Tenth Month 5, their bishop, the director of the detestable crime.

(d) ‹flagitiosa in suis› · printed under col 621

Ita plerique codices Quesnelli et nostri cum puro Dionysiano et Vindebon. collect. 5. Vulgati cum Hisp. et Isid. aliisque quatuor ejusdem originis, mysteriis. Alii codd. a Quesn. indicati in margine, mysteriis mysticis, quae tenerent.

So most of Quesnel's codices and ours, with the pure Dionysian and the Vienna [codex] of collection 5. The editions, with the Spanish and Isidorian [codices] and four others of the same origin: mysteriis. Other codices indicated by Quesnel in the margin: mysteriis mysticis, quae tenerent.

(e) ‹nosse› · printed under col 621

Quesn. cum quibusdam codd. potestis; melius exempla Vat. Dionysii, Hadrian. Hisp. et Isid., cum anterioribus vulgatis, poteritis. Paulo ante iidem Vulg. cum uno Vat., reprehensa pro deprehensa.

Quesnel, with some codices: potestis; better the Vatican exemplars of the Dionysian, Hadrianic, Spanish and Isidorian [collections], with the earlier editions: poteritis. A little before, the same editions with one Vatican [codex]: reprehensa for deprehensa.

(f) ‹aliquantos de his,› · printed under col 621

Ita cum Ques. cod. Vindebon. collect. 5 et duo Vat. Caeteri enim Vulg., quos ne absolverentur. Idem cod. Vindebon., arctius, pro arctior.

So, with Quesnel, the Vienna codex of collection 5 and two Vatican [codices]. The others, indeed, and the editions: quos ne absolverentur. The same Vienna codex: arctius for arctior.

(g) ‹epistolam misimus› · printed under col 621

Verba per acolythum nostrum desunt in Vat. Dionysii et in Hadrianeis etiam editis; sed leguntur in caeteris nostris codicibus. Quesnellus, per illum acolythum. At illum nullibi reperire licuit. Forte in aliquo ejus codice positae fuerunt litterae ill. loco proprii nominis, ut in antiquis formulis usitatum est.

The words per acolythum nostrum are missing in the Vatican [codex] of Dionysius and in the Hadrianic [codices], even the printed ones; but they are read in our other codices. Quesnel: per illum acolythum. But illum could be found nowhere. Perhaps in some codex of his the letters ill. were placed instead of a proper name, as was customary in ancient formularies.

(h) ‹sanctitas vestra,› · printed under col 621

Voces fratres charissimi absunt a mss. Hadrian. Vindebon. Hisp. et Justello, nec non a duobus aliis Vatt. atque a vulgatis ante Quesn.

The words fratres charissimi are absent from the Hadrianic manuscripts, the Vienna [codex] of the Spanish [collection] and Justel, and also from two other Vatican [codices] and from the editions before Quesnel.

(i) ‹et cautius,› · printed under col 621

Duo Vatt. collect. 21, ne alicubi Manichaei perversitatis homines plebes vestras facultatem habeant laedendi; sed hi iidem codices paulo post, necubi occultandi, etc.

Two Vatican [codices] of collection 21: ne alicubi Manichaei perversitatis homines plebes vestras facultatem habeant laedendi; but these same codices a little after: necubi occultandi, etc.

(j) ‹nisi› · printed under col 622

Ms. Vat. collect. 11 cum Vindeb. Hisp., eos. Mox in Vat. collect. 24, ne pestis audacius divulgetur.

The Vatican manuscript of collection 11, with the Vienna [codex] of the Spanish [collection]: eos. Next, in the Vatican [codex] of collection 24: ne pestis audacius divulgetur.

Page

running head: shared with col 622 (621 EPISTOLA VIII. 622; the left-hand numeral and "EPISTOLA" stand over col 621)
marginal letters (gutter, shared with col 622): A ‹professione, et manus›; B ‹nia quae a nobis›; C ‹ces, se demerserunt› (in the notes); D ‹duo Vat. Caeteri› (in the notes)
old-edition numerals: 625 after ‹per›
signature: none
other: note (j), called in col 621, is printed under col 622. Col 621 opens with the second half of Eccle-|sia, set whole at the end of col 620. In note (a) a figure has dropped out before ‹4› (a visible gap), supplied as ⟨2⟩

PL 54:622

abscindamus. Unde hortor dilectionem vestram, obtestor et moneo, ut qua debetis et potestis sollicitudine vigiletis ad investigandos eos, necubi occultandi se reperiant facultatem. Ut enim habebit a Deo dignae remunerationis praemium, qui diligentius, quod ad salutem commissae sibi plebis proficiat, fuerit exsecutus; ita ante tribunal Domini de reatu negligentiae se non poterit excusare, quicumque plebem suam, contra sacrilegae persuasionis auctores, noluerit custodire.

[…] cut off. Therefore I exhort your affection, I adjure and admonish you, to be watchful with the solicitude that you owe and are able to give in searching them out, lest anywhere they find opportunity of hiding. For as he will have from God the prize of a worthy reward who has carried out more diligently what may profit the salvation of the people entrusted to him, so he will not be able to excuse himself before the tribunal of the Lord from the guilt of negligence, whoever has not been willing to guard his people against the authors of this sacrilegious persuasion.

Data tertio kalendas Februarii, Theodosio Augusto XVIII et Albino viris clarissimis consulibus.

Given on the third day before the Kalends of February, in the consulship of Theodosius Augustus (for the eighteenth time) and Albinus, most illustrious men.

EPISTOLA VIII.

LETTER VIII.

SEU CONSTITUTIO VALENTINIANI III.

OR THE CONSTITUTION OF VALENTINIAN III.

De Manichaeis.

On the Manichaeans.

Imperatores THEODOSIUS ET VALENTINIANUS Augusti ALBINO P. P. II.

The Emperors THEODOSIUS AND VALENTINIAN, Augusti, to ALBINUS, Praetorian Prefect for the second time.

Superstitio paganorum quoque damnata temporibus, inimica publicae disciplinae, et hostis fidei Christianae, ad excidium sui clementiam nostram non immerito provocavit. Manichaeos loquimur, quos exsecrabiles, et toto orbe pellendos omnium retro principum statuta judicarunt. Nec dissimulationem crimina nuper detecta patiuntur. Quae enim et quam dictu audituque obscena in judicio beatissimi papae Leonis, coram senatu amplissimo manifesta ipsorum confessione patefacta sunt? Adeo ut eorum quoque qui diceretur episcopus, et voce propria proderet, et omnia scelerum suorum secreta perscriberet.

A superstition condemned even in the times of the pagans, hostile to public order and an enemy of the Christian faith, has not undeservedly provoked our clemency to its destruction. We speak of the Manichaeans, whom the statutes of all past princes have judged accursed and to be driven out of the whole world. Nor do the crimes lately detected allow of being overlooked. For what things, and how obscene to speak of and to hear, were laid bare in the court of the most blessed Pope Leo, before the most honourable senate, by their own open confession! So much so that even he who was called their bishop both disclosed them with his own voice and wrote down all the secrets of their crimes.

Editors' notes and page, col. 622

Footnotes

(j) call in col 621, printed under col 622, set in n621

(k) ‹ut qua› · printed under col 622

Vindeb. collect. 5 omittit debetis et.

The Vienna [codex] of collection 5 omits debetis et.

(l) ‹habebit a Deo› · printed under col 622

Editiones ante Quesn. cum Vat. collect. 24, ingens remunerationis praemium. In Vat. collect. 11 deest ingens et dignae. Quesn. in marg. Al.: dignum. Paulo post, de reatu negligentiae suae non poterit excusari, in Vindebon. Hisp.

The editions before Quesnel, with the Vatican [codex] of collection 24: ingens remunerationis praemium. In the Vatican [codex] of collection 11 both ingens and dignae are lacking. Quesnel in the margin: another [reading], dignum. A little after, de reatu negligentiae suae non poterit excusari, in the Vienna [codex] of the Spanish [collection].

(m) ‹Data› · printed under col 622

Cod. Thuan. 1 Quesn., IV kal. Addidimus Augusto ex ms. Vindebon. collect. 5.

Quesnel's codex Thuanus 1: IV kal. We have added Augusto from the Vienna manuscript of collection 5.

(n) ‹EPISTOLA VIII.› · printed under col 622

Quesnellus hanc relegit ad ms. Oxon. Nos praeterea utemur tribus codd. Wurceburgensi, Gothano, et Ottoboniano, quorum variantes exhibuit Joannes Daniel Ritter in novissima editione Lipsiensi codicis Theodosiani tom. VI, inter Novellas.

Quesnel revised this [constitution] against the Oxford manuscript. We shall use in addition three codices, of Würzburg, Gotha and the Ottoboni, whose variants Johann Daniel Ritter presented in the latest Leipzig edition of the Theodosian Code, vol. 6, among the Novels.

(o) ‹VALENTINIANI III.› · printed under col 622

19 Junii anni 445.

19 June of the year 445.

(p) ‹Augusti› · printed under col 622

Quesn. Albino P. P. et patricio. Post P. P. adjecimus II, ex editis et mss. Novellarum libris, pro quo codex Wur., Albino bis P. P. Fuit scilicet Albinus primum praefectus praetorio an. 426, ut colligitur ex l. 7, de Legitim. Haeredit. Expunximus autem et patricio; hoc enim titulo ille quidem inscribitur in legibus an. 446, non vero in illis an. 445.

Quesnel: Albino P. P. et patricio. After P. P. we have added II, from the printed and manuscript books of the Novels, for which the Würzburg codex has Albino bis P. P. For Albinus was first praetorian prefect in the year 426, as is gathered from law 7, On Legitimate Inheritances. We have struck out et patricio; for he is indeed styled by this title in the laws of the year 446, but not in those of the year 445.

(q) ‹Christianae,› · printed under col 622

Ms. Goth., ad exsilium, corrupte.

The Gotha manuscript: ad exsilium, corruptly.

(r) ‹crimina› · printed under col 622

Detecta scilicet fuit an. 445 opera S. Leonis ex Chronico Prosperi. Confer admonitionem nostram praemissam epistolae primae, num. 23, nec non dissert. 1 Quesn. de vita et rebus gestis S. Leonis an. 443.

That is, [the sect] was detected in the year 445 through the efforts of St Leo, according to the Chronicle of Prosper. Compare our admonition prefixed to the first letter, no. 23, and also Quesnel's dissertation 1 on the life and deeds of St Leo, year 443.

(s) ‹papae Leonis,› · printed under col 622

Ipse Leo, epist. 15 ad Turrib. cap. 16, ait: In judicio nostro, cui non solum frequentissima praesentia sacerdotum, sed etiam illustrium virorum dignitas, et pars quaedam senatus ac plebis interfuit, ipsorum (Manichaeorum) qui omne facinus perpetrarunt, ore reseratum est.

Leo himself, letter 15 to Turribius, chap. 16, says: In our court, at which not only a very numerous presence of priests but also the dignity of illustrious men and a certain part of the senate and people were present, it was disclosed from the mouth of those very (Manichaeans) who committed every crime.

(t) ‹qui diceretur› · printed under col 622

Confer annot. 13 (Supra n. (c) in epist. praeced.

Compare annotation 13 (above, n. (c)) on the preceding letter.

Page

running head: shared with col 621 (621 EPISTOLA VIII. 622; "VIII." and the right-hand numeral stand over col 622)
marginal letters (gutter, shared with col 621): A ‹abscindamus. Unde hortor›; B ‹Imperatores THEODOSIUS›; C ‹Mox in Vat. collect. 24› (in the notes); D ‹tur ex l. 7, de Legitim.› (in the notes)
old-edition numerals: 626 before ‹(n) EPISTOLA VIII.›
signature: none
other: Letter VIII is the constitution (Novel) of Valentinian III on the Manichaeans, printed in the series; set in layer 1. The word perscribe-|ret, hyphenated at the foot of col 622, is set whole here (col 623 read for one line). Note (j), called in col 621, is printed under col 622 and set in n621

PL 54:623

Quod notitiam nostram latere non potuit, quibus tutum non est negligere tam detestandam Divinitatis injuriam, et impunitam relinquere scelus quo non solum corpora deceptorum, sed etiam animae inexpiabiliter polluuntur. Unde; Albine, parens charissime A.A. illustris et magnifica auctoritas tua, hac nos in aeternum victura lege statuisse cognoscat, quam in omnium provinciarum faciet notitiam edictis propositis pervenire.

This could not escape our notice, for whom it is not safe to neglect so detestable an injury to the Divinity, and to leave unpunished a crime by which not only the bodies of the deceived but also their souls are inexpiably polluted. Therefore, Albinus, dearest parent, A.A., let your illustrious and magnificent authority know that we have decreed by this law, which is to live for ever, and which it will cause to reach the knowledge of all the provinces by the posting of edicts:

Ut ubicumque terrarum quisquam Manichaeorum fuerit deprehensus, poenas, quas in sacrilegos jura sanxerunt, auctoritate publicae severitatis excipiat. Sitque publicum crimen, et omni volenti sine accusationis periculo tales arguere sit facultas. Nec cuiquam licitum tutumque sit aut celare tales, aut talibus connivere: cum omnia de his a nobis confirmata sint retro principum constituta, ut noverint universi hac edictali lege proposita, Manichaeos dignitate militiae et urbium habitatione privandos ne quis innocens talium conversatione aut societate capiatur). Successiones nec capiant, nec relinquant, sed fisci nostri viribus aggregentur. Nec eis quod palam interdicimus, ulla fraude quaeratur. Injuriarum careant actione, contractos liberos omnino non habeant.) Primates uniuscujusque militiae vel officii mox exigenda per apparitionem vestram) decem

That wherever on earth any of the Manichaeans shall have been apprehended, he shall receive, by the authority of public severity, the penalties which the laws have sanctioned against the sacrilegious. And let it be a public crime, and let anyone who wishes have the power to accuse such people without any risk from the accusation. Nor let it be lawful and safe for anyone either to conceal such people or to connive at such people: since all the enactments of former princes concerning them have been confirmed by us, so that all may know, by this edictal law set forth, that the Manichaeans are to be deprived of rank in the service and of residence in the cities, lest any innocent person be caught by association or fellowship with such people). Let them neither take nor leave inheritances, but let these be added to the resources of our treasury. Nor let what we openly forbid them be sought by any fraud. Let them lack the action for injuries, and let them have no free contracts at all.) The chiefs of each service or office, to be exacted forthwith through your officials), a fine of ten […]

Editors' notes and page, col. 623

Footnotes

(a) ‹Albine, parens charissime› · printed under col 623

In editionibus ante Quesn. sine interpunctione jungebantur litterae A. A., et cum sic junctae significent Augustos, Brissonius, l. III de Formulis § 63, has siglas interpretandas contendit Augustorum; putatque librariorum quorumdam arbitrio, eo quod earum potestatem ignorarent, factum fuisse ut in nonnullis ms. illae siglae reddantur atque amantissime. Hinc Quesnellus non siglas, sed Brissonii interpretationem Augustorum textui inseruit, notavitque in ms. Oxoniensi legi, pater charissime atque amantissime. Verum eaedem siglae in plerisque mss. sic cum interpunctione exhibentur: P. K. A. A. Ritterius enim in notatione ad primam novellam Theodosiano Codici subjectam monuit, in tribus ms. Wur., Ottob. et uno Sichard haberi P. K. A. A., et pari interpunctione in duobus codd. Gotth., at alio Sichard. P. A. A. Id convenit interpretationi, quae in aliis mss. legitur, parens charissime atque amantissime. Hanc autem fuisse formulam eo tempore usitatam liquet ex novell. 17 Theodosii de Repudiis, ubi expressis verbis Florentius parens charissimus atque amantissimus dicitur; et ex epist. 20, 23 et 25, in Auctario Symmachi, in quibus idem Symmachus praefectus Urbis ab Honorio similiter vocatur. Apud Spartianum in Vita Antonini Getae, cap. 2, Juvenalis praefectus praetorio nuncupatur parens amantissime. Nullibi autem formulam parens charissime Augustorum expressam reperimus. Idem Brissonius, eodem lib. III c. 63, siglas Fr. A. in aliis legibus signatas interpretatur frater amantissime. Mox cod. Oxoniensis Quesn., illustris et praeclara magnificentia tua.

In the editions before Quesnel the letters A. A. were joined without punctuation, and since, so joined, they signify "Augusti", Brisson (book 3 of De Formulis, § 63) contends that these sigla are to be interpreted "of the Augusti"; and he thinks that it came about through the choice of certain copyists, because they did not know their meaning, that in some manuscripts those sigla are rendered "and most loving". Hence Quesnel inserted into the text not the sigla but Brisson's interpretation "of the Augusti", and noted that in the Oxford manuscript one reads "dearest and most loving father". But the same sigla are shown in most manuscripts with punctuation thus: P. K. A. A. For Ritter, in his note on the first novel appended to the Theodosian Code, observed that in three manuscripts, Wur., Ottob. and one of Sichard's, P. K. A. A. is found, and with the same punctuation in two Gotha codices, but in another of Sichard's P. A. A. This agrees with the interpretation which is read in other manuscripts, "dearest and most loving parent". That this was the formula in use at that time is clear from Novel 17 of Theodosius, On Repudiations, where Florentius is called in express words "dearest and most loving parent"; and from letters 20, 23 and 25 in the Supplement to Symmachus, in which the same Symmachus, prefect of the City, is addressed in like manner by Honorius. In Spartianus, in the Life of Antoninus Geta, chapter 2, Juvenalis, the praetorian prefect, is called "most loving parent". Nowhere, however, have we found the formula "dearest parent of the Augusti" expressed. The same Brisson, in the same book 3, chapter 63, interprets the sigla Fr. A., marked in other laws, as "most loving brother". Next, Quesnel's Oxford codex has "your illustrious and distinguished magnificence".

(b) ‹in aeternum victura lege› · printed under col 623

Ms. Wur., instituisse.

The Wur. manuscript has "instituisse" [to have instituted].

Verba edictis propositis desiderantur in cod. Oxoniensi.

The words "edictis propositis" [by the posting of edicts] are missing in the Oxford codex.

(d) ‹aut talibus› · printed under col 623

Ms. Goth. et editio Sichardi, convivere. Aliqui codices cum editione Lipsiensi, conhibere; sed notavit Ritterius a librariis confundi connivere et conhibere.

The Gotha manuscript and Sichard's edition have "convivere" [to live with]. Some codices, with the Leipzig edition, have "conhibere"; but Ritter noted that "connivere" and "conhibere" are confused by copyists.

(e) ‹sint retro principum› · printed under cols 623–624

Ms. Goth. et libri omnes impressi cum Quesn., statuta. Secuti sumus emendationem Ritterii; ita enim principum constituta appellantur leges adversus Manichaeos in epist. praecedenti, cap. 1. Paulo aliter constituta principum constitutiones dicuntur. Vide Paratitl. de constitutionis principum.

The Gotha manuscript and all the printed books, with Quesnel, have "statuta". We have followed Ritter's emendation; for thus the laws against the Manichaeans are called "enactments of the princes" in the preceding letter, chapter 1. A little differently, the enactments of the princes are called "constitutions". See the Paratitla, on the constitutions of the princes.

(f) ‹edictali lege proposita, Manichaeos› · printed under col 624

Ms. Oxon., militia, dignitate, et urbium habitatione.

The Oxford manuscript has "of service, of rank, and of residence in the cities".

(g) ‹urbium habitatione privandos› · printed under col 624

Lineis inclusa desunt in eodem codice.

The words enclosed in lines are missing in the same codex.

(h) ‹nec capiant, nec relinquant,› · printed under col 624

Haec quoque inclusa ibidem desiderantur. Mox Nec his pro Nec eis in cod. Wur.

These enclosed words too are missing there. Next, "Nec his" for "Nec eis" in the Wur. codex.

(i) ‹Primates uniuscujusque militiae› · printed under col 624

In Oxoniensi inclusa lineis pariter omittuntur.

In the Oxford [codex] the words enclosed in lines are likewise omitted.

Page

running head: 623 S. LEONIS MAGNI EPISTOLAE. 624 (shared with col 624)
marginal letters (gutter, shared with col 624): A ‹ret. Quod notitiam›; B ‹sint retro principum›; C ‹nonnullis ms. illae› (footnote (a)); D ‹nuncupatur parens amantissime› (footnote (a))
old-edition numerals: 627 after ‹auctoritas tua,›
signature: none
other: the column opens with "ret.", the tail of a word hyphenated from col 622, set there; the parentheses closing after ‹capiatur›, ‹habeant.› and ‹vestram› are the editors' "lines" marking omitted words (notes g, h, i), printed with no opening parenthesis; "de-" at the foot is completed by "cem" at the head of col 624 and set whole here