Twelve Tables

The Twelve Tables are a set of Roman Laws that are inscribed on 12 tablets in Ancient Rome. They were created in 451 BC. These tablets were hung everywhere for all people to see. It was the start of a new way for laws. These laws would go through the government first, and then they would be written down. They were then hung around Rome so all citizens would know their rights and be treated equally without the laws changing. Before these laws were created patricians would change laws or make them up for their benefit because they were a higher class. The plebeians didn't like this so they fought against them and when they won these laws were created. These laws established the rights of Roman citizens in areas of property, trials, personal wrongs, public, and religious matters. This was an important step for Romans in their government.