De natalibus restituendis
(Concerning the Restitution of the Rights of Birth.)
2Marcianus, Institutes, Book I. Persons who are born slaves sometimes obtain the rights of those who are freeborn, by subsequent operation of law; as where a freedman is restored by the Emperor to the rights to which he is entitled by birth; for he is restored to these rights to which all men originally are entitled, but to which he himself could assert no claim by birth, as he was born a slave. He acquires the said rights in their entirety, and is in the same position as if he had been born free, hence his patron cannot succeed to his estate. For this reason the Emperors do not usually restore anyone to his birthright, unless with the consent of his patron.
3Scævola, Opinions, Book VI, Gave the Following Opinion. You ask, if our Most Holy and Noble Emperor should restore anyone to his original birthright, whether he can enjoy all the rights of one who is born free. This does not admit, and never has admitted of any doubt, because it has been established that he who obtains this privilege from the Emperor is restored to all the rights of a person who is born free.
5Modestinus, Rules, Book VII. The freedman who desires to be restored to his natural birthright must obtain the consent of his patron, for the authority of his patron over him is lost if he acquires it. 1A freedman who is restored to his birthright is considered, in every respect, as if he had become freeborn, and, in the meantime, had not endured the infamy of servitude.