The Latin word edictum (announcement), used since the time of the Roman Republic, is well known to historians and lawyers. Let us also learn what an edict is, as well as how the meaning of this term has changed over the centuries.
Ancient Rome
According to the encyclopedic dictionaries, the magistrate, upon assuming office, was obliged to publish the program of his activities. She had legal force throughout his term. Such public statements were called edicts.
The ancient Roman praetors, through them, informed of the basic principles of judicial activity, which they were going to adhere to while remaining in public office.
The following types of edicts existed:
- new ones;
- transferred
- Permanent
- unforeseen.
When the republican form of government came to replace the principle, and then the dominance, imperial decrees began to be called this term. The most famous of them is the Edict of Caracalla (212 AD), thanks to which the entire free population of the empire was able to obtain Roman citizenship.
So to summarize. The edict in Roman law was, firstly, a normative act of magistrates and praetors. Secondly, in the future, so-called imperial decrees.
From the Middle Ages to the present
As you know, the legal systems of many European states were built on the basis of Roman law. What is an edict during the Middle Ages and the New Age? These are especially important decrees issued by popes or monarchs. Many of them concerned the religious sphere. For instance:
- The Worm edict, issued in May 1521 by Emperor Charles V, declared Luther a heretic.
- The Nantes Edict of 1598 recognized the right of French Protestants to practice their religion, temporarily putting an end to the Religious Wars in the country.
Unlike Western Europe, in Russia the term "edict" is not used by jurists. Instead, the word "decree" is used or close to it in meaning - "decree".