
#ROMAN LAW IELEMENTS IN USA FULL#
It was a big deal to be a full Roman citizen. Many of the protections and rights given to people under Roman law only applied to Roman citizens. These laws became known as the Law of the Twelve Tables. The people eventually revolted against the leaders and, in 450 BC, some laws were written on stone tablets for everyone to see. It wasn't written down in one place, but was established through tradition and individual laws.īecause many of the laws were unwritten or unavailable for the people to see, there was much room for corruption by public officials. The Roman Constitution was an agreed upon set of principles that was followed by the Roman government. When more force was needed, like during riots or against gangs, other more military groups were used such as the Praetorian Guard and the urban cohorts. The Vigiles dealt with petty criminals like thieves and runaway slaves. To keep the laws in the city, the Romans had a police force called the Vigiles. The praetor was responsible for the administration of justice.

The praetor was the second highest ranking official in the Roman republic (after the consuls).

The laws were enforced by an official called the praetor. There were other ways, however, that laws were implemented including the Plebeian Council, decrees by the senate, decisions by elected officials (magistrates), and edicts by the emperor. Laws were voted on by citizens who were members of the assemblies. The primary way of making official new laws was through the Roman Assemblies. Laws were made a number of different ways. Many of the basic systems and ideas that we have about laws and government today comes from Ancient Rome. The Romans had a complex system of government and laws.
