The Twelve Tables

The Laws of the Twelve Tables are an ancient piece of legislation, originating in 450 B.C. It was the first code of law introduced in Ancient Rome, motivated by conflict between plebeians and patricians within Roman society. Plebeians, the commoners, experienced oppression from the upper class patricians, as well as restriction from political involvement within the Roman government. The outcry from plebeians prompted the commission of ten patrician men, known as the Decemviri, to be given the task of establishing a set of laws for both plebeians and patricians to abide by, that would seemingly ensure citizen rights and equal treatment for plebeians. Initially, the Decemviri implemented the Ten Tables, which was approved by both the Senate and the Comitia Centuriata; however, it is assumed that not all demands were met at this point under the legislation, so shortly after the Decemviri was reestablished. The reappointed Decemviri consisted of seven patricians and three plebeians, who established two more laws that were agreed upon and put into place. This set the foundation for the Laws of the Twelve Tables, which would be the precedent in Ancient Rome throughout

The Eleventh Table primarily involved marriage, most significantly stating that marriage was not legally permitted between plebeians and patricians (this would later be abolished in 445 B.C.). The Twelfth Table, on the other hand, consisted more of legislation. One major law included that for the slaves and children that broke the law, their master/parent would be held responsible, and would be required to either challenge the claim or give the child/slave up for punishment. Additionally, it was considered illegal to use any items involved in legal matters for anything sacred. The major aspect of the Twelfth Table was that the law declared by the people most recently would be considered