Religious Intolerance in the Later Roman Empire - Bad request ...

AVGGG. No title is given for Eutherius who is only known from this inscription.
As such the order could date from 367-394 or even from 402-408.
According to Mommsen’s reconstruction, the law granted equal protection to
all cemeteries regardless of which religion they belonged to. The emperor ordered “the
eternal protection of graves, which clearly must be maintained for the benefit of all.” 167
More importantly, Valentinian expressed the opinion that previous religious rites and
customs should not be allowed disappear: “we do not reckon that any previous
custom, whether the divine rites of divine law, or cults should perish.” 168 Valentinian
indicated that ground set aside for burials had been the subject of “sacred services and
mysteries” 169 and therefore “since continually and jointly by divine and human laws
require this [the eternal protection of cemeteries,]” 170 this order reinforced that custom
so that “perennial faith and reverence should remain defended by the eternal dignity of
the rites.” 171 Evidently the law was phrased broadly enough to afford protection to all
faiths and it was also written in a manner which would have been entirely appropriate
for a pagan emperor. The law seems to be most characteristic of Valentinian's
religious policy, rather than of any of the other candidates. If the law was indeed
issued by Valentinian then it may be related to his attempts to pacify the city
following Ursinus’ disturbances. Equally, it could be an acknowledgement of the
pagan establishment in Rome. Difficulties of dating prevent a definite or specific
explanation (if there was even one at the time).
Valentinian and the Magic Trials
Hymetius’ trial for magic was one of a number of magic trials carried out in
Rome between 369-375. 172 These magic trials prompted the issuance of CTh 9.16.9 of
29 May 371 to the Roman Senate. Ammianus, who is the only source for the trials,
167
[sepulcrorum aeterna custodia, quae com m odo….] praecipuo cunctorum plane est tenenda
168
[neque ritui div ]ino fas ducim us v el cultibus ut ulla depereat praeroga[tiv a
169
m inisteriis adque m ysteriis
170
[quapropter] hoc iugiter div ina com m uniter adque hum ana [iura cum requirant….]
171
fides adque rev erentia perenn is [ut m aneat defensa sacrorum m ]aiestate perpetua
133