Letters of Julian/Letter 31

by Julian

31. A decree concerning Physicians^[1]

[362, May 12, Constantinople]

That the science of medicine is salutary for mankind is plainly testified by experience. Hence the sons of the philosophers are right in proclaiming that this science also is descended from heaven. For by its means the infirmity of our nature and the disorders that attack us are corrected. Therefore, in accordance with reason and justice, we decree what is in harmony with the acts of former Emperors, and of our benevolence ordain that for the future ye may live free from the burdens attaching to senators.

Footnotes

1. This edict, preserved more briefly in Codex Theodosianus 13. 3. 4, was Julian's last known legislative act before he left Constantinople. It confirmed the immunity granted to physicians by Constantine, and was probably meant to apply only to the heads of the medical faculties, archiatri, since the Latin edict is addressed to them.