Udział sekretarzy ab epistulis i a libellis w procesie tworzenia reskryptów cesarskich

Abstract

The Secretaries ab epistulis and a libellis were very important elemnent of Imperial administration. Only these high civil officials participated in creating Imperial Law. The bureau of Imperial correspondence (ab epistulis) was receiving letters from official sources, but the bureau (a libellis) was receiving the petitions addressed by private individuals to the Emperor. These central departments created two forms of Imperial Rescripts: epistulae nad subscriptiones. The Emperor Hadrian reorganized the chancery, which became the state pillar of administration. Since that moment the Rescripts as Imperial Constitutions became very common. Who was responsible for creation of Imperial Rescripts? The Emperor or professional Secretaries? What tasks did the Secretaries perform? These questions have been the matter of academic discussion for a long time. Basing on Roman Law, epigraphic material and literary sources the article presents the Rescripts as a source of Roman Imperial Law. Moreover, it concentrates on the legislative participation of the Secretaries in creating Imperial Rescripts.