1. Roman Law
Unit 1 Section 10
TYWL: How were ancient civilizations and empires able to development, grow and create a lasting impact?
How has conflict and innovation influenced political, religious, economic and social changes in medieval civilizations?

2. The Roman Republic Attempts to Reform
The Twelve Tables:
450 BC 12 bronze tables
509 B.C., republic (some officials are chosen by the people.)
Senate: Members were patricians,(members of the landholding class.)
Attempts to Reform
Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus-tribunes: give land & grain to poor & farmers.
Killed by an anger mob set off by the senators.

3. Plebeians, or common people.
Elected officials, called tribunes.
veto, or block, laws.
US Constitution:
Senate
the veto
checks on political power.

4. Roman Law Civil law applied roman citizens.
Second system of law: law of nations. Applied to all people under Roman rule, both citizens & non-citizens.
Guilt est. through evidence.
Judges interpret the laws & make fair decisions.
Centuries later, basis for legal systems in Europe & the Americas.

5. Emperors Vary Caligula appointed his favorite horse as consul.
Nero persecuted the Christians and was blamed for setting fire to Rome
96 A.D. to 180 A.D. “Good Emperors”
Hadrian codified Roman law & built a wall across Britain to hold back attacks.
Marcus Aurelius

6. Roman Entertainment
Circus Maximus: largest race course for chariots and held gladiator matches there also. This fun was paid for by the gov’ts taxes. The gov’t also provided free grain to the poor. Critics warned against this policy of “bread and circuses.”