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Law of the Twelve Tables

449 BC · Classical Antiquity

LawPhilosophy

Between 451-449 BC, the decemviri (commission of ten men) created the Twelve Tables, Rome's first written code of law. The first ten tables were completed in 451 BC, and the final two in 449 BC. The bronze tablets were publicly displayed in the Roman Forum, establishing a foundation for Roman legal principles and citizens' rights.

Key Figures

Appius Claudius CrassusTitus Genucius AugurinusSpurius Postumius AlbusLucius Valerius Potitus

Locations

Roman ForumAventine Hill

Topics

ancient historylawrome

Connected Events — 1 Connection

Applied Roman legal principle from Twelve Tables that rulers must be bound by written law, channeling this concept through medieval feudalism into English constitutional tradition Magna Carta Drafted

June 15, 1215 · Law · Medieval

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