Novels

(novella) is the name applied to the ecclesiastical enactments of Justinian, which were added to the Institutes, and consisted of those new rescripts and constitutions which formed Justinian's own contributions to imperial jurisprudence. Novels, let it be understood, were no part of the Justinian Code, but laws framed subsequently to the enactment of the Code. SEE JUSTINIAN. Many of the novels treat of woman's relation to the Church, a point not carefully considered in the Code, for it was only after Christianity had fairly asserted itself in the empire that woman came to be regarded as fit for any other than the marital or monastic obligation.