The Twelve Tables

The Twelve Tables were a set of laws created in ancient Rome around 450 BCE, marking one of the earliest attempts to codify legal principles. They were inscribed on twelve bronze tablets and displayed in public, ensuring that all citizens could understand and refer to the laws. The Tables covered various aspects of daily life, including family, property, and criminal justice, emphasizing rights and legal procedures. This foundational legal code laid the groundwork for Roman law and influenced many legal systems that followed, highlighting the importance of transparency and equality before the law in governance.