Decemviri

Definition

The decemviri were a group of ten officials in ancient Rome tasked with the creation of the Twelve Tables, which served as the foundation for Roman law. This group emerged during a time when the plebeians sought greater legal rights and protection against the arbitrary decisions of patrician magistrates. The Twelve Tables established a written legal code that aimed to provide clarity and accessibility to the law for all citizens, regardless of their social standing.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The decemviri were appointed in 451 BCE to draft the Twelve Tables as part of a compromise between the patricians and plebeians.
2. The Twelve Tables were publicly displayed so that all Roman citizens could have access to and understand their rights under the law.
3. The decemviri initially held significant power but eventually faced backlash due to their authoritarian practices and misuse of authority.
4. After their rule ended, the decemviri's work on the Twelve Tables laid the groundwork for future Roman legal systems and influenced later legal thought in Western civilization.
5. The creation of the Twelve Tables marked a shift from oral traditions to a written legal code, establishing a precedent for transparency and accountability in law.

Review Questions

• How did the creation of the decemviri relate to the social tensions between patricians and plebeians in ancient Rome?
  • The establishment of the decemviri was directly tied to the ongoing struggle between patricians and plebeians. Plebeians sought written laws to protect themselves from arbitrary judgments by patrician magistrates. By forming this group, it was an attempt to address these grievances and ensure that laws were clear and accessible, thereby balancing power dynamics within Roman society.
• Discuss how the Twelve Tables created by the decemviri influenced Roman society's understanding of law and justice.
  • The Twelve Tables profoundly changed how Romans viewed law and justice by providing a codified legal framework that was accessible to all citizens. This transparency helped ensure that everyone was subject to the same laws, reducing corruption and arbitrary rule. The presence of these written laws fostered a sense of legal rights among citizens, ultimately leading to a more organized society where individuals could seek redress in courts.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the decemviri's work on the Twelve Tables for later legal systems in Western civilization.
  • The work of the decemviri on the Twelve Tables had lasting implications not just for Roman law but also for legal systems in Western civilization. By establishing a written legal code, it set a precedent for future codifications of law in various cultures. The emphasis on clarity, accessibility, and accountability in legal matters influenced the development of modern legal principles, contributing to contemporary understandings of justice and individual rights across many democratic societies today.

Related terms

Twelve Tables:

The Twelve Tables were the earliest attempt to create a codified set of laws in Rome, serving as a cornerstone for Roman legal tradition and public rights.

Patricians: The patricians were the elite class in ancient Rome, holding significant political power and influence, often at odds with the plebeians.

Plebeians: The plebeians were the common people of Rome, who fought for social and political equality, leading to important reforms such as the establishment of the decemviri.