The Roman Laws of the Twelve Tables, c. 449 BCE

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Simeon Netchev
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published on 02 June 2023
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The Roman Laws of the Twelve Tables, c. 449 BCE Download Full Size Image

This infographic illustrates the Laws of the Twelve Tables, the first written code of Roman law, publicly displayed around 450 BCE. By setting down rules on property, family, and civil procedure, the Twelve Tables created a transparent legal framework that applied equally to Roman citizens and shaped subsequent legal tradition.

Compiled in response to plebeian demands for predictable justice, the Tablets addressed topics ranging from debt and contracts to marriage, inheritance, and criminal penalties. Their clear, publicly posted provisions curtailed arbitrary judgments by magistrates and became the bedrock of later Roman jurisprudence. Over centuries, the Twelve Tables’ emphasis on written statutes, due process, and civic equality influenced the development of Western legal systems.

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About the Author

Simeon Netchev
Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history teacher, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. He believes every image should tell a story and invite interaction, while every map should lead on a journey — blending imagination with e

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APA Style

Netchev, S. (2023, June 02). The Roman Laws of the Twelve Tables, c. 449 BCE. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17482/the-roman-laws-of-the-twelve-tables-c-449-bce/

Chicago Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The Roman Laws of the Twelve Tables, c. 449 BCE." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified June 02, 2023. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17482/the-roman-laws-of-the-twelve-tables-c-449-bce/.

MLA Style

Netchev, Simeon. "The Roman Laws of the Twelve Tables, c. 449 BCE." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 02 Jun 2023, https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17482/the-roman-laws-of-the-twelve-tables-c-449-bce/. Web. 20 Jun 2025.

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