Chapter II.
If any among them seek to introduce impious vanities, denying the resurrection or the judgment, or the work of God, or that angels are part of creation, we require them everywhere to be expelled forthwith; that no backslider raise his impious voice to contradict the evident purpose of God. Those who utter such sentiments shall be put to death, and thereby the Jewish people shall be purged of the errors which they introduced.
Chapter III.
We pray that when they hear the reading of the books in one or the other language, they may guard themselves against the depravity of the interpreters, and, not clinging to the literal words, come to the point of the matter, and perceive their diviner meaning, so that they may start afresh to learn the better way, and may cease to stray vainly, and to err in that which is most essential, we mean hope in God. For this reason we have opened the door for the reading of the scriptures in every language, that all may henceforth receive its teaching, and become fitter for learning better things.
For it is acknowledged that he, who is nourished upon the sacred scriptures and has little need of direction, is much readier to discern the truth, and to choose the better path, than he who understands nothing of them, but clings to the name of his faith alone, and is held by it as by a sacred anchor, and believes that what can be called heresy in its purest form is divine teaching.
Epilogue.
This is our sacred will and pleasure, and your Excellency and your present colleague and your staff shall see that it is carried out, and shall not allow the Hebrews to contravene it. Those who resist it or try to put any obstruction in its way, shall first suffer corporal punishment, and then be compelled to live in exile, forfeiting also their property, that they flaunt not their impudence against God and the empire. You shall also circulate our law to the provincial governors, that they learning its contents may enforce it in their several cities, knowing that it is to be strictly carried out under pain of our displeasure.
After Justinian
Circus Factions in Egypt
The Constantinople Circus factions – the Blues and Greens – were not only involved in verbal sporting conflicts – sometimes there was greater violence. And the factions were spread throughout the Empire. Below John, bishop of Nikiu, describes party strife in Egypt shortly before the Persian conquest (c. 608-10)
A striking modern analogy exists with these fifth-seventh century factions. In the modern Scottish city of Glasgow, supporters of Glasgow Rangers Football club were blue and supporters of Glasgow Celtic wear Green.
Within living memory this sports rivalry extended to street violence and politics: the green wearing Celtic fans tended to be Roman Catholic and to vote for the Labour Party; blue dressed Rangers fans were Protestant (indeed the club long would have no Catholics as players), and voted Unionist (ie. Conservative).
BLUES AND GREENS IN EGYPT
And taking advantage of the war between Bonosus and Nicetas [rival Byzantine generals], artisan guilds [the Greens] arose and perpetrated outrages on the Blues and gave themselves shamelessly to pillage and murder.
And when Nicetas was apprised of these facts he had them arrested,and reproved them, and said unto them: “Do no outrage henceforth to any one.” And he established peace amongst them. And he named prefects in all the cities and repressed Plundering and violence, and he lightened their taxes for three years. And the Egyptians were very much attached to him.
TREASON OF BLUES AND GREENS
And Menas who was the leader of the Green faction, and Cosmas the son of Samuel, the leader of the Blues, besieged the city of Misr [Egypt] and harassed the Romans [Byzantines] during the days of the Moslem.
Read More about Justinian (b.483- r.527-d.565)
