De officio procuratoris Caesaris vel rationalis
(Concerning the Office of the Imperial Steward or Accountant.)
1Ulpianus, On the Edict, Book XVI. All acts performed by the Imperial Steward are approved by the Emperor, just as if they had been performed by himself. 1If the Imperial Steward disposes of any property which belongs to the Emperor as his own, I do not think that the ownership of the same is transferred; for he only makes a legal transfer while he is conducting the business of the Emperor and delivers it with his consent; for if he performs any act for the purpose of effecting a sale, a gift, or an agreement, it is void; as he has no authority to alienate the Emperor’s property, but only to diligently administer it. 2It is a special function of the Imperial Steward that, by his order, a slave of the Emperor may enter upon an estate, and if the Emperor is appointed heir, the Procurator, by interfering with a rich estate, makes the Emperor the heir.
3Callistratus, On Judicial Inquiries, Book VI. The Imperial Stewards cannot sentence to deportation, for the reason that they have not the right of imposing this penalty. 1If, however, they forbid anyone to enter upon the land of the Emperor because his riotous or violent conduct might injure the Imperial tenants, the person is obliged to withdraw; for this the Divine Pius stated in a Rescript to Julius. 2Stewards cannot give permission to anyone to return after deportation, and this our Emperors Severus and Antoninus stated in a Rescript in answer to a petition of Hermias.