The Twelve Tables and the evolution of Roman law

Romans and Law

The Roman law is considered as the greatest legacy of ancient Rome to the Western Civilization, as several existing civil and common laws in most Western countries are based on the laws introduced and developed by the Romans.

Rome's laws were first codified around 450 BC when a group of ten magistrates wrote Rome's laws on 12 wooden tablets that became known as the Twelve Tables. The legal system that evolved around these laws (known as the jus civile) applied equally to all Roman citizens and was the source of all public and private laws for a considerable period. As the Roman conquests spread far and wide, the need for a different legal system that applied to all subjects was felt. The praetor (magistrate) was given powers to define and interpret the law applicable to non-Roman citizens. A new legal system known as jus gentium thus evolved. When citizenship of Rome was extended to all free subjects of the Empire, this legal system became redundant and the city law or jus civile of Rome became the law of the empire. (Schwind, 2003)