Why did Romans want there law written down?

Answer 1

Prior the Law of the Twelve Tables legal rules where based on religious rules and practices which were kept secret by the priests, who were all patricians. Many of these priests sat in the senate (which was not an elected body). Moreover, the senate did not publish the minutes of its proceeding or its decrees. This left ample room for abuse by the rich and powerful including the consuls, the two annually elected heads of the city, who sometimes destroyed senate documents.

The plebeians wanted written laws which would clarify rules regarding matters which now we would call criminal and civil law. They were written in a simple language which could be understood by literate people (though there were not many at that time) and were posted at the forum so that anyone could consult them. The plebeians also obtained an agreement that all decrees and proceedings of the senate would be stored at a plebeian temple on the Aventine Hill and looked after by officials called the plebeian aediles. Thus, they won the right to be informed about the law and legal developments and the aediles became legal experts (previously only the patricians were legal experts).

One important matter for the plebeians was to have procedures for the trial of (poor) defaulting debtors which would provide some protection for them. The (rich) creditors were in the habit of abusing them: imprisoning them, torturing them and sometimes selling them as slaves. The Law of the Twelve Tables provided for this.

Answer 2

Prior to the Law of the Twelve Tables laws were not written down and were kept secret by the patricians, the aristocracy, who monopolised the state in the early Republic. This left room of arbitrary actions and abuse. The plebeians wanted written and published laws so that the rules were known and citizens could be represented legally. The compilation of the law also involved a process of consultation to create a consensus on what the rules were to be. A big part of the Law of the Twelve Tables was about the procedures for the conduct of trials. These procedures provided a degree of protection for the plebeians.

Answer 3

Prior to the Law of the Twelve Tables, there were no written and published laws. This could lead to arbitrary use of power and the manipulation of rules in the favour of the rich and powerful. Having written and published laws meant that there were more clearly defined rules and that these were publicly known, giving a change for educated men to challenge actions which did not conform with the law. The Law of the Twelve Tables also established rules for the conduct of trials, which ensured greater fairness in prosecutions.

Answer 4

The orally-transmitted law was in the heads of the aristocrats, so the rest had to go to one of them when they had a problem, and get them to represent the. This made them a client of the aristocrat who could then call on them for political and financial support. By having the laws written down, they could make their own judgements and decisions and avoid being sucked in to the causes and actions of aristocrats.

Answer 5

patricians often changed or interpreted the laws to benefit themselves.

Answer 6

patricians often changed or interpreted the laws to benefit themselves.

Answer 7

just because =]

Answer 8

I'm not completely sure about this I was looking through some notes and I believe it is D. "It provided them with opportunities to seize power from the dictators." I would advise to look through the lesson and make sure because I don't want to give you false information. Here are my notes if you would like to look through them to make sure if you can't make sure I advise you look through the lessons.

I hope this helps!

In 509 BCE the Roman Republic was established. The Roman Republic was different from a direct democracy. In a direct democracy the Citizens (1) could vote on all issues. In Rome, they chose a group of people who voted on all decisions. This is known as representatives (2) democracy.

The Roman Republic had three branches, tripartite (3), like the United States today. The Legislative, composed of the Senate and the Assembly, the Executive (Consuls), and the Judicial branch (Judges). Each branch had a specific role or job. This is called Separation of powers (4). The Romans did this so no one person or branch could obtain too much Power (5).

All Roman citizens had a right to own Land (6) and to Vote (7). Roman citizens chose officials to represent or cast their vote on proposed bills. Patricians (8) were represented by the Senate. Plebeians (9) were represented by the Assemblies. The Assemblies provided a balance of power by giving Plebeians a voice in government, however most of the power in the Republic was held by the Senate. The Senate elected and advised the Consuls (10).

The Senate elected two (11) Consuls. The Consuls severed a one-year (12) term and had power over the army (13) and treasury (14). In times of crisis, the Consuls could appoint a dictator (15), so they lead the army. The Consuls had to Agree (16) on everything. This prevented any one person from getting to much power (17).

The Judiciary Branch was made up of eight judges who ran the courts and governed the provinces. Judges oversaw enforcing the laws. The Twelve Tables (18) were Rome’s written record of law. It spelled out the rights and privileges of all citizens, reducing tension between the Patricians and Plebeians. The Republic’s Twelve Tables have been compared to the United States Constitution (19).

Due to the expanding Roman Empire, politics there were not the same as they had been in the Roman Republic. The Roman Republic had a system of checks and balances to make sure no one person or group got too much power (20). In the Roman Empire, the emperor (21) held all the power. He controlled the entire government. The senate (22) could no longer make laws without the emperor’s approval. The emperor appointed (23) senators who supported him politically. In the Empire, the emperor could declare war or agree upon treaties with other nations. Only the Senate had the right to do this in the Republic.

In the second and first century BCE, many changes took place in Rome. Four men helped turn the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

Tiberius Gracchus proposed that Rome divide public lands (24) among the returning military and their families. This was to address the issue of homeless citizens. This scared the senate (25), and he was murdered.

Gaius Marius promised land to men who would be soldiers and later citizenship (26). This angered the Senate, and he was forced to flee to North Africa.

Sulla restructured the city's politics and strengthened the Senate's power after forcing Gaius Marius to leave Rome. Then he returned to his original military command.

Julius Caesar seized power and declared himself dictator (27), ending the practice of appointed Consuls. Power was now inherited (28) or passed from father to son.

Many ideas of the Roman Republic still exist today. The US government is a representative (29) democracy. US citizens chose their leaders. Like the Romans, US citizens pay taxes (30). Taxes support the government. Taxes support the military. Citizens may be called upon to serve on juries (31). A jury is a group who helps decides whether a person is innocent or guilty.