Roman Law

The Roman Empire was one of the greatest empires in the history of man. Lasting from approximately 509 B.C. until A.D. 476, it left the world with a legacy of skills, ideas, laws, etc., that still influence modern societies in many ways. The accomplishments of Rome will long be appreciated for the numerous ways they have shaped and improved our lives.

The Romans were one of the first to put their set of laws into writing. These early laws were called the The Law of the Twelve Tables and were hung in the Roman Forum for everyone to see. In order to efficiently control their constantly growing, vast empire, new laws and customs were combined with the older laws to create a code of justice that would apply to everyone in all corners of the empire. Many modern countries including the United States and many of those in Europe have adopted the ideas of the Romans; e.g. an accused person is innocent until proven guilty. Common laws of many countries, canon law of the Roman Catholic Church and international laws contain principles borrowed from Roman law.

Many societies have been influenced by Rome's form of government. Rome developed a government in which citizens could choose their leaders by voting - a republic. The government was not dominated by a single class of people, but partly a monarchy ( king), partly an aristocracy ( ruled by nobles, the Senate) and partly a democracy ( by the people). Our own United States Constitution is based on the Roman system of balance of power-legislative, judicial and executive branches.

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Court Cases

1. Case #1: The Barber

"While several persons are playing ball, the ball having been struck too violently it should hit the hand of barber who is shaving a slave at the time, in such a way that the throat of the latter is cut by the razor, the party responsible for negligence is liable under the Lex Aquila."

Is the barber responsible for injury to someone he is shaving in a location where it is customary to play ball or is it the responsibility of the customer to place himself in a safe position?

Case #2: Mules and Wagons

"Mules were hauling two loaded wagons up the Capitoline Hill, and the drivers were pushing the first wagon, which was inclined to one side, in order that the mules might haul it more easily. In the meantime the upper wagon