from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
MACEDONIAN DECREE, civil law. A decree of the Roman senate, which derived
its name from that of a certain usurer who was the cause of its being made,
in consequence of his exactions. It was intended to protect sons who lived
under the paternal jurisdiction, from the unconscionable contracts which
they sometimes made on the expectations after their fathers' deaths;
another, and perhaps, the principle object, was to cast odium on the
rapacious creditors. It declared such contracts void. Dig. 14, 6, 1; Domat,
Lois, Civ. liv. 1, tit. 6, Sec. 4; Fonb. Eq. B. 1, c. 2, Sec. 12, note.
Vide Catching bargain; Post obit.