Guide
Laws Governing Jews in the Late Roman Period
2nd–6th Centuries
Restricted
By Carol Bakhos
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
Conference of Rights
Historia Augusta, Septimus Severus 16.6–17.1|Historia Augusta, Antoninus Caracalla 1.4–8
He [Severus] then returned victorious to Syria. But when the senators offered him a triumph [a public celebration] for the…
Primary Source
Freedom in Return for a Tribute
Apology 18.6–8
Hebrews of old they were, who now are Jews; so the books are called Hebrew and the language. But that understanding of their books might not be wanting, the concession was made to Ptolemy by the Jews…
Primary Source
Roman Citizenship for All Free Persons
Constitutio Antoniniana 1.1–30
“Edict of the [Emperor Caesar] M. Aurelius [Severus] Antoninus Augustus. [It is everywhere] necessary to attribute the main causes and reasons of events [to the divinity. I too myself have to be…
Primary Source
Laws against Mixing with Jews
The Synod of Elvira, Canons 16, 49, 50, 78
Heretics, if they are unwilling to change over to the catholic Church, are not to have catholic girls [in marriage]; nor shall they…
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Laws against Judaizing
Council of Laodicea, Canons 29, 37, 38
Christians should not judaize and refrain from work on the Sabbath, but they should work on that day. As Christians, they should honor…
Primary Source
Prohibition against Marrying a Jew
Council of Chalcedon, Canon 14
Since in some provinces lectors and cantors are allowed to marry, the holy council has decreed that none of them may take a heretic to wife. Those who have already had children by such marriages, if…
Primary Source
Prohibitions against Praying or Feasting with a Jew
Apostolic Canons 65, 70, 71
If any clergyman or layman shall enter into a synagogue of the Jews or heretics to pray, let the former be deposed and the latter be…
Primary Source
All May Enter to Hear the Word
Statuta Ecclesiae Antiqua, Canons 16, 83
A bishop shall not prohibit anyone from entering a church and listening to God’s word, whether he is a pagan, heretic or Jew, until…
Primary Source
Laws about Jews in the Theodosian Code
Theodosian Code 16.8.1–2, 8, 22; 2.1.10
Emperor Constantine Augustus to Evagrius We want the Jews, their principals and their patriarchs informed, that if anyone—once this law has been given—dare attack by stoning or by other kind…
Primary Source
Emperor Julian’s Policy on the Jews
Declaration of March 1, 363 CE
To the Community of the Jews
[ . . . ] Wishing you to fare even better, I have recommended to my brother Julus, the most reverent patriarch, that that which is called among you…
Related Guide
The Late Roman Period in History and Memory
3rd–6th Centuries