A Textual Analysis On The Legal System Of Public Works In Code Theodosianus

Public works is one of the greatest achievements of the ancient Romans.Code Theodosianus,issued in Late Antiquity,set up a special chapter to stipulate "public works" for the first time,which is the first time to regulate the concept of public works in law.The richest legal norms on public works are collected in the Code of Theodosius,which is the first official compilation of laws,edited and promulgated by the order of Theodosius II,and collects general decrees since Constantine I.This period was not only the late Roman Empire,but also the early Byzantine Empire.At that time,Roman society was in a transitional period.The legal system of public works played an important role in maintaining the stable operation of the empire and promoting the development and transformation of the country.The code is based on the relevant fragments of public works in the Code of Theodosius,mainly combing and analyzing the powers and responsibilities of public authorities and the rights and obligations of imperial citizens.First of all,the central government adjusts the development of local engineering construction through the power of administrative examination and approval,construction supervision and illegal punishment.As a prerequisite for the initiation of local engineering projects,administrative examination and approval can realize the targeted development of public works in various regions according to their characteristics through the allocation of construction resources by the central government,such as giving priority to meeting the needs of military projects in military fortresses.The supervision of project construction can effectively prevent local governments from abusing national resources and local officials’ dereliction of duty.Illegal punishment is the last means to ensure the orderly operation of local project construction,and also the most deterrent way.While enjoying the power,the central government should also bear the positive responsibility of coordinating the construction of the project and the negative responsibility of not exceeding its authority.Secondly,in terms of the powers and responsibilities of local governments,as a part of local governance,the construction management of public works,especially the executive heads,has a wide range of powers,including the power to formulate construction laws and regulations and the power to manage construction.The construction of public works is a part of the political achievements of local officials.Local officials need to operate carefully.The law stipulates the administrative responsibility of the person in charge of the project and the criminal responsibility of local officials who seriously violate the interests of the empire in the construction activities.Finally,Code Theodosianus also stipulates the rights and obligations of citizens at all levels in the management of public works.In the final analysis,the construction of public works is to realize the overall interests of the country.The protection of civil rights can achieve the balance between private interests and public interests,and maximize the overall interests of the country to a certain extent.At the same time,the legal system has a subtle and significant change in the maintenance of public works,that is,the main obligation to repair and clean public buildings or public facilities is forcibly transferred to private individuals.Public works are the cornerstone of the building of the country,which directly determines the level of social governance.The legal system of public works provides the basis for the smooth operation of the policies and decrees of the Empire during the transition period,and ensures the unity and stability of the country.The transmission and implementation of any upper-level policy cannot be separated from basic public facilities.For example,the emperor’s decree can be quickly spread to all parts of the country with the help of the developed highway network.The development of economy and culture is also closely related to the construction of public affairs.The planning and construction of public works provided material guarantee for national governance,promoted social progress and development,and accelerated the transformation of Roman society.