Statute
of Korcula
articels from 1214 (amended in 1265, reformation until 1455).
the oldest legal document of the South Slavs was the inspiration
for the artistic action.
"We
decree that a person who raises a hand onto another or attacks
another violently with hands shall pay 3 perpers. If they cannot
pay, they shall be flagellated."
"We decree that a person who casts a stone at another person
or attacks another with a bludgeon... shall pay 5 perpers... and
if they cannot pay, they shall be flagellated and branded with
red-hot iron."
"We decree that, in the future, we shall treat our neighbours
as they treat us, without influencing in any way the established
position of all other communities."
"We decree that no person shall give loans with interests,
and those who do shall lose all the interest they promised and
half of the principal; those who receive a loan with interest
shall lose 1 perper."
"We decree that no one is allowed to import foreign wine
to Korcula for the purpose of sale, or else they shall lose 25
perpers... however, we decide that anyone can import up to one
small barrel of wine for personal use."
"We determine and decree that no leader... or any other official...
shall dare receive a gift... as bribery, under the threat of paying
a monetary fee."
"All those who clean their houses... shall not throw out
the garbage at any public location or block it with it, especially
not in the port... or else they shall pay the fine in the amount
of 5 perpers... moreover, all garbage shall be removed at the
expense of the person who left it there."
"The prince and the judges can... give... uncovered and neglected
houses to all and any person, both to locals and to foreigners,
who wish to make them suitable for living, and those houses shall
remain in their possession forever."
"And all those who live on the island of Korčula and possess
any real estate here shall be considered residents of Korčula
and shall be treated as residents of KorCula."
"If a person of any origin, position, gender or social class...
engages in slave trade in any way... they are doing something
that is forbidden. If it is discovered that they are breaking
this prohibition... they shall, without exception, pay 100 golden
ducats... and if the offender does not have the money to pay,
their right arm shall be cut off."