Download THE ROMAN REPUBLIC

THE ROMAN REPUBLIC
TWELVE TABLES OF ROMAN LAW
ROMAN SOCIETY
Give a basic description for each of the Twelve Tables of Roman Law
2 Main Social Classes (Describe each)
I: Laws prior to trial happening
Patricians:
Upper Class: Wealthy landowners who could hold government office.
II: laws that deal with trial
III: Laws dealing with debt (owing money)
Plebeians:
IV: Laws the detail the father’s power
Lower Class: Poor farmers. Male citizens could vote.
V: Laws for legal guardianship
Why would the inequalities between these two groups lead to conflict?
An economic gap between the two groups could cause tension because laws in general
would favor the rich, who were the vast minority of Rome’s population. The vast
majority, the poor, didn’t have as much say in how the day to day business of Rome was
run.
VI: Laws dealing with things you own
VII: Laws dealing with land rights
VIII: Laws dealing with injury
Describe the “Twelve Tables” and its impact on the people of Rome.
Think of the Twelve Tables as a written constitution of Roman Law. It was a detailed list
of rules/laws/responsibilities/crime/punishment. The impact was that now all members
of society knew what was expected of them.
IX: laws about making fair laws
X: Laws dealing with death
XI: marriage laws
XII: Laws dealing with property destruction