Imperial Constitutions

The Imperial Constitutions (Latin: Constitutiones principum) are enactments or legislation issued by the Predaconian emperor. The chief forms of imperial legislation are: (1) edicta, or proclamations, which the emperor, like other magistrates, might issue, (2) mandata, or instructions to subordinates, especially provincial governors, (3) rescripta,written answers to officials or others who consulted the emperor, in particular on a point of law, and (4) decreta, or decisions of the emperor sitting as a judge.