Law of the 12 Tables

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Law of the 12 Tables
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12 Tables

• A code of law for all Romans to live by
• Written about 450 B.C.
• Originally 10 laws, but added two about marriage
  and customary.

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Law of the 12 Tables

• The most important basic principle of written
  legal code was that justice was no longer based
  on the interpretation of judges.

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table I Rules for a Trial
• The defendant has to go to court.
• The defendant can be hunted down if he doesnt
  show up for court.

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table II The Trial
• Can make the witnesses go to court

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table III Debt
• If you dont pay your debts, the person you owe
  can take you to court and the court will make you
  pay.
• They can take your stuff or set up a payment plan.

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table IV Rights of Fathers
• Deformed children can be killed
• If you sell your son 3 times, he is then free
• If born 10 months after father dies, the child
  doesnt get an inheritance

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table V Guardianship
• Females have to remain under guardianship
• If a person goes crazy, the family can take over
  his property.

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table VI Acquisition/Possession
• How you get stuff and how you keep it.

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table VII Rights concerning land
• If your tree damages your neighbors property,
  you have to take care of it.
• If your tree is hanging over his land, he can eat
  the fruit.

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table VIII Torts
• Clubbed to death for slander

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table IX Public Law
• Treason put to death
• Cannot be put to death until after a trial

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table X Sacred Law
• Cannot burn or bury dead people within the city
  limits
• Have to remove all of their gold before burning
  or burial

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table XI Supplementary Law
• Marriage poor people cant marry rich people

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Law of the 12 Tables

• Table XII Supplementary Law
• All laws are binding until changed by the people.