Summary of the Twelve Tables
The Twelve Tables were very simply much like the American Constitution and Bill of Rights, they were a codified and listed set of rules citizens had to follow, and limits on the powers the government had over them. They were created following a Secessio Plebis. A Secessio Plebis is a withdrawal of the commoners, or as it could be otherwise, a general strike of all plebeian citizens where they leave the city and close all businesses, effectively shutting down commerce and the whole economy of Rome. This was used several times during Roman history to force the Patricians to consider the views of the Plebeian citizens. In 499 BCE, Plebeians had enough with the tyranny of magistrates following the expulsion of the Tarquins and Etruscans, and a Secessio Plebis was declared, so the Twelve Table were written as a way to balance power between the two classes and all Roman citizens. They were carved on tablets, and displayed in the Forum for all Romans to see, until they were likely destroyed during a Gallic raid in 387 BCE.
Roman Citizens were required to serve in the military, but they were the only ones allowed to serve, or at least they were until later on in the Empire. Romans were always put first in the Twelve Tables, far above their slaves, the Barbarian groups that surrounded them, and the other civilized peoples. Appeals had to be heard, and a Roman citizen could only be executed for treason, and could never be executed via crucifixion.
In many ways, The Roman Twelve Tables were like our own Constitution and laws, in that it created a government for its people and set down defined laws Romans had to follow. But, it was also very different from our Constitution. It was much stricter and much less inclusive than the document than our Founding Fathers penned.
Here is a brief overview of a few of the twelve tables:
The Twelve Tables were very simply much like the American Constitution and Bill of Rights, they were a codified and listed set of rules citizens had to follow, and limits on the powers the government had over them. They were created following a Secessio Plebis. A Secessio Plebis is a withdrawal of the commoners, or as it could be otherwise, a general strike of all plebeian citizens where they leave the city and close all businesses, effectively shutting down commerce and the whole economy of Rome. This was used several times during Roman history to force the Patricians to consider the views of the Plebeian citizens. In 499 BCE, Plebeians had enough with the tyranny of magistrates following the expulsion of the Tarquins and Etruscans, and a Secessio Plebis was declared, so the Twelve Table were written as a way to balance power between the two classes and all Roman citizens. They were carved on tablets, and displayed in the Forum for all Romans to see, until they were likely destroyed during a Gallic raid in 387 BCE.
Roman Citizens were required to serve in the military, but they were the only ones allowed to serve, or at least they were until later on in the Empire. Romans were always put first in the Twelve Tables, far above their slaves, the Barbarian groups that surrounded them, and the other civilized peoples. Appeals had to be heard, and a Roman citizen could only be executed for treason, and could never be executed via crucifixion.
In many ways, The Roman Twelve Tables were like our own Constitution and laws, in that it created a government for its people and set down defined laws Romans had to follow. But, it was also very different from our Constitution. It was much stricter and much less inclusive than the document than our Founding Fathers penned.
Here is a brief overview of a few of the twelve tables:
- Table I mandates that when a person is accused of something, both accused and accuser must be present at a hearing or trial on the matter. Also, if both parties don't show up for a court date, the judge is free to rule in favor of the party that did show up.
- Table III gives debtors 30 days to pay off a debt. After that, a creditor is free to seize the debtor and make him or her a prisoner.
- Table IV give approval to put to death a dreadfully deformed child.
- Table V keeps women in guardianship regardless of age.
- Table VI makes a man's will binding.
- Table VIII lists specific punishments for certain crimes. It also says that if a person fails to show up as a trial witness, then that person will never again be allowed to be a witness. Most importantly, it says that a person shown to have lied in court will be put to death.
- Table IX specifies capital punishment for judges who have taken bribes and for people who have committed treason.
- Table XI prohibits marriages between plebeian and patrician.