The Twelve Tables Essay

Both the United States and roman republic have government that is similar today. In the United States we have the: executive branch, legislative branch, and judicial branch. The twelve tables remind me of the bill of rights. The law of the twelve

Roman law in the republic was often based on custom (Paul-Louis). During the Roman Empire, however, the emperor became the final source of law. Roman law was one of the original products of the Roman mind. They created the Twelve Tables, which was the first Roman code of law developed during the early republic. Roman civil law allowed great flexibility in adopting new ideas or extending principles in the complex environment of the empire. This was to establish laws that allowed greater fairness. Early Roman law

To further strengthen the rights of the people, The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15, 1791. With only the first ten amendments, it is no accident that two amendments, 9 and 10, specifically define the Constitutions purpose to protect rights, given to the government from the people; and the powers of the government are “only those delegated to it by the Constitution on behalf of the people” (Spalding, Page 145).

It was crucial for the colonists to figure out a way to live and work together. This was their first time making decisions without being commanded by a king or Queen and it was important to formulate and then implement a plan of action. (Schmidt, 2017). The idea of a constitution was thus created for the betterment of those living in America and has served as a rallying cry, a defense mechanism, and a safeguard for all citizens within the United States. This irreplaceable document has survived throughout time not only on paper but also in the hearts of many Americans. The Constitution of the United States officially went into effect on “September 17,1787” (Schmidt,2017, pg.35). The greatness of this constitution is still seen today as it serves as a solid base, with room allowed for re-examination or change if needed. Every now and then an issue may arise and the laws set forth into the constitution are reexamined and an amendment may be set

On September 17, 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, who were directed by George Washington. The 1787 convention was called to draft a new legal system for the United States now that the states were free and colonized. This new Constitution was made to increase federal authority while still protecting the rights of citizens. It established America’s National Government. In 1971, the Bill of Rights were added to Constitution containing the 10 amendments guaranteeing protection for citizens. The first commandment consisting of freedom of speech and religion. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads:

Rome was the world’s greatest place for about 500 years. The fall of the Roman Empire led Rome to split into two parts. The eastern part of Rome thrived much longer than the western half. Historians believe that Rome had not fallen until about 476 A.D. because of how long Eastern Rome survived as a Byzantine Empire. Western Rome had fallen after the split and when it did, a number of reasons are in the hundreds. They had decided to split their government due to the fact that they had so much land to cover that they thought it was easier to split the empire in half. There were three main reasons as to why Rome had fallen. The division of the Roman Empire lead to a weak economy, military as well as political and social problems.

It states that the government cannot make a person testify against themselves. A trial relies on witnesses and evidence and not the testimony of the accused.

The creation of the US constitution was prompted my many different things going on. What established America’s national government and fundamental laws is the U.S constitution. It also guarantees basic rights for its citizens. The U.S constitution was signed on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pa. The first document before the U.S constitution was the Articles of Confederation, with that the government wasn’t very strong and the states didn’t act like they do today. In 1787, at the 1787 convention, delegates made a decision to make a stronger federal government that consisted of the executive, legislative, and the judicial branches. That wasn’t it either, it also had a system of checks and balances because they did not want one branch to be able to overpower another branch. The ten amendments of the Bill of Rights guarantees protections for people like religion and freedom of speech. In total, there are twenty-seven constitutional amendments.

There were a lot of reasons rome fell apart, In 117 CE,it was a huge empire that covered parts of three continence. These are some of the most important reasons Rome fell. One is how big rome was, another is that over the course of 50o years they had 19 emperors, and that Rome’s soldiers were not all from Rome.

All of these wars happen because of the many leaders that were hungry for power and wanted to make Rome the best that it could be. Unfortunately, they did it at the expense of others. The government system in Rome consisted of the royal family that had the most control with the King having the most power. The King and other selected members had an extraordinary power, as stated in the textbook (TEXTBOOK) called “imperium, the right to issue commands and to enforce them by fines, arrest, and physical punishment, including execution” (CITATION). This type of power can be dangerous if not used with caution. In 168 B.C.E. a man by the name of Tiberius Gracchus tried to help give back to people by proposing a land distribution act. He offered to take land from the wealthy and redistribute it to the poor. The bill proposal was vetoed not once but twice. At this point, Tiberius Gracchus’s brother, Gaius Gracchus, a great tribunate and now help his brother.

As Rome was facing attacks from the outside there was an even deeper problem happening from within and it was their economy. Rome’s constant war and overspending in building its empire was becoming costly. As their treasury depleted they decided to impose hard taxation to account for the new expense they were generating. Which actually caused many people who were apart of the upper class to move to the countryside to avoid the oppressive taxes(Andrews) . Another economic problem is that inflation began to occur. Marcus Aurelius increased the copper content of the silver coins and then after that there was even more severe inflation on it way(Starr 144-145). A third problem with the economy, also politically, was that there was an ever growing expansion of bureaucracy. The expansion of their government caused more and more officials to have to be paid. Not to mentions cities already were having a hard

“With laws unwritten, patrician officials often interpreted the law to suit themselves. In 451 B.C., a group of ten officials began writing down Rome’s laws. The laws were carved on twelve tablets, or tables, and hung in the Forum. They became the basis for later Roman law. The Twelve Tables established the idea that all free citizens had a right to the protection of the law.” (page 156)

At this stage in the Roman Empire things were extremely dangerous and many power struggles within the royal family were arising. With the demise of the

During the Republic, laws weren’t written down they were in the head of the judges. The common people were mistreated so they made ...the three branches were civil law which was the laws of the Roman Citizen, Law of people which is Law for everyone Even the ones in captivity, and the natural law was a law for all people and all time. The Twelve Tables were ancient roman laws that made it more fair for lower class. They wanted everyone to know the laws so they placed them in the forum . So the laws were fair for upper class and lower class.

During the early ages of the empire small towns started springing up all around Italy, then they started invading other countries and adding them to their expanding empire. Sometimes they would vanquish other countries that wouldn’t agree to be part of the empire willingly. *In reality Rome’s Empire was composed of many different countries. Romans valued their Military above all else, *which led to making the world’s first superpower (MacMullen). At its height in 117 CE the Roman Empire had become so vast, controlling close to 1.7 million square miles, it had to be split into 2 different empires (Mark). Dividing into two different Empires was ultimately the downfall of the Roman Empire.