Lex de imperio Vespasiani

The Lex de imperio Vespasiani is an ancient Roman law partially preserved on a bronze tablet.

It represents what Tacitus in his Histories described as the Senate giving Vespasian "all that is usual for emperors" (cuncta principibus solita).

[2] Vespasian is permitted to (1) make treaties, (2–3) convoke the Senate and propose motions, (4) endorse candidates for office and (5) expand the pomerium of the city.

[1] He is also given (6) wide discretionary power to do anything "he believes, in the interests of the State ... that he should do"[2] so long as it has precedent, (7) all powers exercised by any prior emperor while himself not being subject to the law and (8) retroactive authorization for any acts of his prior to the enactment of the Lex de imperio.

[3] In modern scholarship, the Lex has been the subject of many debates, such as whether it placed the emperor above the law or gave Vespasian new powers.