The Twelve Tables

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The Twelve Tables

• Roman Law

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The Twelve Tables

• written from 451 to 450 BC
• first written law of the Romans
• basis of private rights for Roman citizens
• applied equally to all citizens

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The Twelve Tables

• based on custom
• written so common people could understand them
• written by decemvirs (members of the city
  council)
• Roman schoolboys had to learn the laws by heart

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Why are they called the Twelve Tables?

• The laws were written on bronze tablets called
  tables.

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Where were they located?

• The Twelve Tables were fastened to the speakers
  stand in the Roman Forum.
• They were put here so everyone, including the
  plebeians (commoners) could see them and follow
  the rules.

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1st Table

• You must appear in court if summoned.

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2nd Table

• If a witness does not show at court, every 3rd
  day he will be called upon until he shows.

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3rd Table

• You have 30 days to pay a debt.

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4th Table

• If a child is born dreadfully deformed, he shall
  be killed immediately.
• If a father sells his son 3 times, the son is
  free.
• Inheritance goes to the nearest male relative if
  there is no heir.

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5th Table

• Females must have a guardian.

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6th Table

• You cannot take another persons property.

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7th Table

• Roads must be kept in order.
• You can have fruit that has fallen on anothers
  farm.

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8th Table

• If you are slain while stealing at night, you
  deserved to die.
• Thieves cannot be killed by day.
• Any person who burns a building or corn by a
  building will be put to death by burning at the
  stake.
• If you are found guilty of giving false witness,
  you shall be hurled down from the Jarpeian Rock.

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9th Table

• The penalty of receiving a bribe for a decision
  is death.

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10th Table

• You cannot bury or burn a corpse in the city.
• Women cannot wail at funerals.

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11th Table

• Marriages between plebeians and patricians
  (wealthy men who controlled the government, army,
  and religion) are forbidden.

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12th Table

• Whatever law passes through the Senate shall be
  law.