How did Ancient Roman law (the 12 tables) and the Bill of rights protect its citizens?
The Twelve Tables were an attempt to set up a system whereby the nobles (patricians) and the plebians would agree to the same rules, and where all men would be judged by impartial judges. They listed procedures for trials, debts, rights of the paterfamilias over his family, inheritance laws, land rights, civil rights, etc. The Tables gave the same rights to every citizen no matter what their wealth or status in society. They protected the poor against the rich, the weak against the strong. They set a range of punishments for different crimes: “let the punishment fit the crime”. They were a step forward over “might makes right”, in guaranteeing the rights of all citizens under their government.
