The Golden Themis

for himself and to propose them to others to be observed, and who he is, or why he remains unknown by name.

It is undoubted that the supreme power of sanctioning a law, which may hold and bind all subject peoples, resides with the supreme Prince, as the head of the members, primarily the Emperor, and afterwards with individual Kings, because they enjoy the mere right of reigning, as well as with certain Princes, and other Primates and free cities. However, these laws laid down by inferiors do not extend except to their own, nor are they perennial, nor do they derogate from civil laws, but are statutes for a time and place, or even a person or thing. Among the ancients, however, men conspicuous and distinguished by wisdom, doctrine, authority, justice, sincerity, and experience of affairs were chosen so that they might set and introduce rights and laws for a certain nation or city.

Thus, among the Hebrews, Moses was received as the first legislator and leader. Among the heathens, the Zephyrians are established as the first who proposed written laws for the sake of equal liberty.

Then Zaleucus, having imitated the decrees of the Spartans and Cretans (who were believed to have received ancient laws from Minos), promulgated harsher laws and defined beforehand by writing the punishments rightfully due and the rules of the just and unjust, so that by fear of judgments and punishments they might abstain from crimes, whereas before, judgment was not given against the accused by written law but by the discretion of the judge.