Good Source of Dry, Historic Factoids?

[Passacaglia]

I'm writing a research paper that involves the Roman Empire during the late 4th century, and I'm looking for confirmation or refutation of a particular 'decree of death' against the Manichaeans that Wikipedia mentions. Because, ya know, Wikipedia.

I'm not interested in long analyses of anything, because this is just part of a side-point in my paper. It'd be great to find a simple, dry list of decrees/edicts passed during that period, although a brief explanation of what exactly a 'decree of death' means would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Xander]

PM moridin, he's the best history buff I know. Though expect him to refer you to Rome or some other such place originally. He is a bit of a Rome enthusiast though.

 

[ceecee]

I'm writing a research paper that involves the Roman Empire during the late 4th century, and I'm looking for confirmation or refutation of a particular 'decree of death' against the Manichaeans that Wikipedia mentions. Because, ya know, Wikipedia.

I'm not interested in long analyses of anything, because this is just part of a side-point in my paper. It'd be great to find a simple, dry list of decrees/edicts passed during that period, although a brief explanation of what exactly a 'decree of death' means would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!

Here's some tidbits.

Manichaeism - Crystalinks

Here is more, specifically about Manichaeism in the Roman Empire, but less tidbitty.

http://www.constantinethegreatcoins...fusion_of_Manichaeism_in_the_Roman_Empire.pdf

 

[Passacaglia]

So my search has eventually led me to the Codex Theodosianus; a compilation of Roman laws from Emperor Constantine's in 313 to Emperor Theodosius II's laws in 438. My school's library happens to have a copy, so I am right now looking at what can best be described as a tome of very dry Roman factoids. This book is just one translation removed from the original text...I feel like Robert Langdon, or Gandalf in the Minas Tirith archives! /nerd

Anyhow, it turns out that 'decree of death' isn't quite as ominous as Wikipedia makes it sound. It's far from benign though; basically it was part of the centuries-long Roman emperor campaign to make life as difficult as possible for anyone who wasn't Catholic. So if you were a Manichee or any non-Catholic and you were as paranoid as the worst of religious folks today can be...your paranoia would have actually been justified.