IUSTINIANI - IMPERATORIS EDICTA - Tiberii - Leonis Augusti Novellae, Iuris Orientalis - 1580

Edicts of the Emperor Justinian.

Several constitutions of Justinian, Justin II and Tiberius from the book of the predecessor Julian. Imperial laws, or Novellae of Leo the Armenian? Wait: It says "Im. Leonis Augusti Novellae Constitutiones" meaning Novellae Constitutiones of Leo I? But Leo the Elder? It's Leo the Emperor Augustus—likely Leo I (the Great). I'll translate as: Imperial Novellae Constitutions of Leo the Great. Imperial Constitutions, or The Law of the Eastern Empire, Book I. Canons of the Holy Apostles. With index of titles. [Geneva], Eustathius Vignon, 1580.

In-8° (cm 17.1 x 11). Frontispiece (15), 136 leaves. Latin text, with ornate woodcut initials, headpieces and printers’ marks (still with the serpent).
Contemporary calfskin parchment binding, manuscript title on the spine (“IVSTINIA. EDICT.” / “1580”) and shelfmark “I”.

Genevan edition, printed by Eustache Vignon (originally from Arras, active in Geneva), of the Edicta of Justinian and of an important selection of later Byzantine imperial constitutions.

Includes:
• the Edicta of Justinian (translation by Henricus Agylaeus / Hendrik Agylaeus);
• some constitutions of Justinian and Tiberius drawn from the book of the Antecessor Julian;
• the Novellae Constitutiones of Leo the Wise;
• the Imperial Constitutions (or The Law of the Eastern Empire, Book I), partly in the edition of Enimundus Bonefidius;
• the Canones sanctorum Apostolorum (in the translation by Gregor Haloander).
Followed by the index of titles. This is a specialist collection of Byzantine law that complements the Corpus Iuris Civilis, focused on administrative, fiscal, ecclesiastical, and private-law norms issued by the Eastern emperors. These texts (especially the Edicta and the Novellae) constitute the essential complement to Justinian law and were fundamental to the reception of Roman-Byzantine law in Renaissance Europe in the sixteenth century.

Relatively rare edition on the antiquarian market (catalogued Adams J 617; GLN-2836). Geneva impressions by Vignon of Byzantine legal texts in a compact format are infrequent and sought after by scholars of legal history and collectors of sixteenth-century bindings. A copy in its original parchment binding, with contemporary manuscript title, which enhances its bibliographic and collectable interest.

Overall state of preservation: good, with the usual signs of use, browning, and spots typical of paper of the period; binding solid with signs of age.