Your Day in the Ancient Greek World

December 13

December 13 in ancient Greece is represented in our source-audited archive by 2 verified records spanning AD 477 to AD 528. Together, the entries below connect this calendar date with different moments in the ancient Greek world through historical and documentary evidence.

Across the centuries

On This Day

  1. AD 477

    Life on This Day

    Constantinople Law & Civic Life High

    Zeno Sets a Rule for Losses After Violent Dispossession

    On December 13, AD 477, Zeno ordered that when violence was proven but every item lost could not be documented, a judge could set a maximum valuation and the injured party could declare the loss under oath.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • Codex Justinianus 8.4.9

    Modern scholarship

    • University of Wyoming Annotated Justinian Code

    Public links

  2. AD 528

    Life on This Day

    Constantinople Family & Relationships High

    Seven Witnesses Are Enough for an Oral Will

    On December 13, AD 528, Justinian abolished additional formalities for a nuncupative or oral will when seven witnesses were assembled together to hear the testator’s wishes.

    Sources

    Primary evidence

    • Codex Justinianus 6.23.26

    Modern scholarship

    • University of Wyoming Annotated Justinian Code

    Public links