On this day in 529, the first draft of of Corpus Juris Civilis was issued by Justinian I, the Emperor of Eastern Roman Empire. This was Latin compilation of all the imperial civil laws dating back to the reign of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. Some of the more interesting provisions provided for Christianity as the state religion, anda requirement that, in order to be a citizen, one must be an adherent. It also provided that anyone caught practicing religious sacrifices could be charged with murder.

The CJC went through many editions, amendments, and drafts through the centuries. It was translated into French, German, and Spanish in the 1800s, and finally into English in 1932. The CJC the foundation of modern Civil Law and is heavily influential Public International Law.

PDF, HTTP, and Kindle versions of the Latin text are here.

An English translation is here.