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Jew in the Medieval World: A Sourcebook, The
Jacob Marcus

Number of quotes: 12


Book ID: 118 Page: 1

Section: 5D

Marcus Introduction The Middle Ages, for the Jew at least, begin with the advent to power of Constantine the Great (306-337). He was the first Roman emperor to issue laws which radically limited the rights of Jews aw citizens of the Roman Empire, a privilege conferred upon them by Caracalla in 212. As Christianity grew in power in the Roman Empire it influenced the emperors to limit further the civil and political rights of Jews. Most of the imperial laws that deal with the Jews since the days of Constantine are found in the Latin Codex Theodosianius (438) and in the Latin and Greek code of Justinian (534). Both of these monumental works are therefore very important, for they enable us to trace the history of progressive deterioration of Jewish rights.

Quote ID: 2755

Time Periods: ?


Book ID: 118 Page: 1

Section: 5D

In our first selection – laws of Constantine the Great – Judaism is denied the opportunity of remaining a missionary religion because of the prohibition to make proselytes.Mt. 23

Quote ID: 2756

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Book ID: 118 Page: 1

Section: 5D

The laws of Constantius (337-361), the second selection, forbid intermarriage between Jewish men and Christian women. A generation later, in 388 all marriages between Jews Christians were forbidden. Constantius also did away with the right of Jews to possess slaves. This prohibition to trade in and to keep slaves at a time when slave labor was common was not merely an attempt to arrest conversion to Judaism; it was also a blow at the economic life of the Jew. It put him at a disadvantage with his Christian competitor to who this economic privilege was assured.

Quote ID: 2757

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Book ID: 118 Page: 1

Section: 3D

The third selection, a law of Theodosius II (408-410), prohibits Jews from holding any advantageous office of honor in the Roman state. They were compelled, however, to assume those public offices which entailed huge financial losses and almost certain ruin, and they were not even granted the hope of an ultimate exemption. This Novella (New Law) III of Theodosius II also makes a direct attack on the Jewish religion by reenacting a law which forbade the building of new Jewish synagogues.

Quote ID: 2758

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Book ID: 118 Page: 2

Section: 5D

A Latin law of Justinian (537 - 565), the final selection, down not allow a Jew to bear witness in court against an orthodox Christian. Thus as early as the sixth century the Jews were already laboring under social, economic, civil, political, and religious disabilities.

Quote ID: 2759

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Book ID: 118 Page: 2

Section: 5D

I. Laws of Constantine the Great, October 18, 315: Concerning Jews, Heaven-Worshippers*, And Samaritans

We wish to make it known to the Jews and their elders and their patriarchs that if, after the enactment of this law, any one of them dares to attack with stones or some other manifestation of anger another who has fled their dangerous sect and attached himself to the worship of God [Christianity], he must speedily be given to the flames and burn

Quote ID: 2760

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Book ID: 118 Page: 2

Section: 5D

II. Laws of Constantine August 13, 339: Concerning Jews, Heaven – Worshippers, And Samaritans

This pertains to women, who live in our weaving factories and whom Jews, in their foulness, take in marriage. It is decreed that these women are to be restored to the weaving factories. [Marriages between Jews and Christian women of the imperial weaving factory are to be dissolved.]

This prohibition [of intermarriage] is to be preserved for the future lest the Jews induce Christian women to share their shameful lives. If they do this they will subject themselves to a sentence of death. [The Jewish husbands are to be punished with death.]

Quote ID: 2761

Time Periods: ?


Book ID: 118 Page: 2

Section: 5D

II. Laws of Constantine August 13, 339: Concerning Jews, Heaven – Worshippers, And Samaritans

…if any one among the Jews has purchased a slave of another sect or nation, that slave shall at once be appropriated for the imperial treasury.

If, indeed, he shall have circumcised the slave whom he has purchased, he will not only be fined for the damage done to that slave but he will also receive capital punishment.

If, indeed, a Jew does not hesitate to purchase slaves – those who are members of the faith that is worthy of respect [Christianity] then all these slaves who are found in his possession shall at once be removed. No delay shall be occasioned, but he is to be deprived of the possession of those men who are Christians.

Quote ID: 2762

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Book ID: 118 Page: 3

Section: 5D

III. A Law of Theodosius II, January 31, 439: Novella III: Concerning Jews, Samaritans, Heretics, And Pagans

no Jew – or no Samaritan who subscribes to neither [the Jewish nor the Christian] religion – shall obtain offices and dignities; to none shall the administration of city service be permitted; nor shall any one exercise the office of a defender [that is, overseer] of the city.

Quote ID: 2763

Time Periods: ?


Book ID: 118 Page: 3

Section: 5D

III. A Law of Theodosius II, January 31, 439: Novella III: Concerning Jews, Samaritans, Heretics, And Pagans

Moreover, for the same reason, we forbid that any synagogue shall rise as a new building.

Quote ID: 2764

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Book ID: 118 Page: 3

Section: 5D

III. A Law of Theodosius II, January 31, 439: Novella III: Concerning Jews, Samaritans, Heretics, And Pagans

…he who misleads a slave or a freeman against his will or by punishable advice, from the service of the Christian religion to that of an abominable sect and ritual, is to be punished by loss of property and life.

Quote ID: 2765

Time Periods: ?


Book ID: 118 Page: 3

Section: 5D

III. A Law of Theodosius II, January 31, 439: Novella III: Concerning Jews, Samaritans, Heretics, And Pagans

On the one hand, whoever has built a synagogue must realize that he has worked to the advantage of the Catholic church [which will confiscate the building]; on the other hand, whoever has already secured the badge of office shall not hold the dignities he has acquired.

Quote ID: 2766

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