The Cases

Cases around the Empire

Confidential Information

CASE NAME:  Born Free                                             

Titus has been put in an awkward situation.  His father was born a free person under the Byzantine Empire.  However, his mother was once a slave who is now free.  These people are known as freedman and not born free.  Some of his friends have questioned whether Titus is considered a free-born or a freedman.  What does the Justinian Code say about his situation?

CASE NAME:  To Slavery You Go                               

Marius has found himself in a situation in which he owes a large debt to Darius Anthony.  Darius has informed Marius that if he does not pay off his debt by the end of the month, that he will have no other choice but to put Marius into slavery to pay off his debts.  Marius does not think this is right.  What does the Justinian Code say about his situation?

CASE NAME:  Free My Slaves                                              

Francisco lived a long life and at the age of 82 passed peacefully.  Francisco was the owner of 5 slaves but later in his life had begun to see slavery as evil and wrong.  Part of his will has asked that his 5 slaves become free.  His living son has disputed this and claims that he has control over the slaves now.  What does the Justinian Code say about this?

CASE NAME:  Slave Child                                                     

Armenius has been a slave all his life.  His master permitted him to have a son with another slave he has become close to on the property.  After having the son a debate began over who has legal control of the newborn child.  Does the master or Armenius have control over the newborn according to the code?

CASE NAME:  Bad Master                                                    

Crassus has a reputation for being a brutal slave owner.  Some citizens in the area think that he has finally gone too far.  Word has reached town that Crassus murdered one of his slaves in a drunken fury that was of no fault of the slave he harmed.  Most claim he simply took out his frustrations on the slave.  Crassus claims that the slave is his property and thus he can do as he pleases.  Some think otherwise.  What does the law say?

CASE NAME:  Divorce                                                 

Draco and Amberly had been married for 5 years.  Things were great the first few years but arguments were part of their daily lives the past few years.  Tensions have run so high that the two want to end their marriage in a divorce and go their own separate ways.  What does the Justinian Code say about their divorce?

CASE NAME:  My Grandson, My Rules                     

Leonardo is not satisfied with the way his son Copernic is raising his grandson.  He has decided to step in and make many of the decisions Copernic should be making.  This has made Copernic very angry and says that his father has no right to tell his child what to do and that he and he alone has power over his son.  What does the Justinian Code say about Leonardo’s attempts to make decisions for his grandson?

CASE NAME:  Not My Daughter!                               

Sandy and Todd have been in a serious relationship for over a year now.  However, Sandy’s father is not a big fan of her boyfriend Todd.  Despite his objections, Todd intends to marry Sandy anyway.  Todd talked to one of our lawyers before and he was told that he could still marry Sandy under one condition.  What does the law say about this scenario?

CASE NAME: Odd Couple                                 

Gabriella has an adopted child.  Charles also has an adopted child. Later, Gabriella and Charles end up getting married and raising their adopted children together.  Now to you and I this might sound a little odd but it appears the two adopted children have grown very close to one another and are considering getting married!  What does the law say about their union?

CASE NAME:  I’m In Charge                    

William and Lucy have a child named Samuel.  Well, it turns out that the marriage between William and Lucy is not completely legal according to the law.  Samuel is a bit of a rebellious child and often yells at his father and claims that because of their unlawful marriage that he can do whatever he wants and does not have to listen!  Is Samuel right according to the code?

CASE NAME:  Call me Grandpa     

Trevor is 78 years old and has come into a scenario where there is a child with no home he would like to adopt.  He would prefer not to have the child call him ‘dad’ seeing that he is 78 years old.  He would prefer to go by the title of grandfather.  Is this permitted by the law or does the law stipulate that he must be called the father?

CASE NAME: That’s Your Son?                         

Frederick has been on his own all his life.  He met a man named Greg who has started to take care of him and provided for him over the past year.  Recently Gregg has shown an interest in adopting Frederick as his son. This seems logical but here is the catch….Gregg is only 3 years older than Frederick!  Is this adoption legal under the law?

CASE NAME:  Freedom to All                           

Recently there was a case of a master who had cared for a slave as if it were his own son.  So much so, that the master recently decided that he would like to adopt this slave as his son.  Is it possible by law to adopt a slave and if so, does this slave get the rights of a freedman?

CASE NAME: Fishing Spot                                

For years Hank had been fishing at the same spot along the river with a great deal of success at catching fish.  One day he was upset to see someone else fishing at his chosen spot.  An argument commenced among the two men over the spot.  Hank claims he had claimed the spot years ago and everyone knows it was his.  What does the law say?

CASE NAME:  Hunting Dispute                         

Benjamin was out hunting at the back of his property and shot a deer.  The deer did not fall right away and strayed onto his neighbor’s property.  Ben went to retrieve the deer from his neighbor’s property when his neighbor became angry.  He claimed anything that strayed on to his property was now his.  Ben did not agree.  What does the Justinian code have to say?

CASE NAME: Conquest                                                        

Derrick knew that when his people were conquered he would be put into slavery by the Byzantines.  That was just the way things worked and he did no dispute it.  One night there was an opportunity to escape slavery and attempt a return home to his own people.  A fellow slave warned him that even if he made it back home, the Byzantines could legally pull him back into slavery.  Is this accurate?

CASE NAME:  Island Treasure                                              

It’s a miracle!  An island has formed out at sea and Ken was the first one to discover it.  He has great plans for the island.  Not so fast said his good friend Bill.  Bill thinks he is pretty sure that any land discovered within the empire is the property of the empire, not just Ken’s because he found it.  Is Bill right?

CASE NAME:  Property Lines                            

Henry has decided to build an outhouse just on the edge of his property.  He pays for the material and builds the sturdy structure.  However, a dispute arises when his neighbor realizes that the land that the outhouse is on is actually a part of HIS property.  The neighbor now claims the structure is his and there is nothing Henry can do about it.  What does the law say?

CASE NAME: Give it Back!                                                   

A man has left his home abandoned for 15 years.  He comes back to find that someone else is now living in what he used to call his home.  He is angered and tells the person to move out or face the consequences.  According to the law, are there any consequences?

CASE NAME:  Ahoy!                                                    

A ship is at sea during a major storm.  In order to keep the boat above water they begin throwing items overboard to lose weight.  A day later a passing vessel begins picking up the goods and claiming them under the good old ‘finders keepers’ philosophy.  Is the Justinian Code okay with this?

CASE NAME:  All Sales Final                             

Ashley was at the market and attempting to make a deal on some fruit with a local merchant.  Both sides have agreed to a price but before money ever changes hands, Ashley backs out and decides she does not want to purchase it.  The merchant becomes outraged and claims she committed to the sale and must buy the fruit.  Is this true?

CASE NAME:   Slave Trade                                         

Maximus has come to the market and is working out a deal to buy some tools for his farm.  He does not have any cash on him but has brought three slaves along with him.  He tells the merchant that he will sell his three slaves to him for the tools.  The merchant looks confused and doesn’t know if this is a legal transaction.  What do you think according to the code?