Roman laws were created to provide rights to citizens and establish a social and political structure. They aimed to promote ethical principles across the empire. The first Roman laws, the Twelve Tables from 451-450 BC, gave citizens legal identity and protection under the law. Later, during Justinian's rule, the Twelve Tables were compiled into four volumes called the Codex, Digest, Pandect, and Institutions in an attempt to consolidate authority, but they still required much interpretation.

1. By Valerie Stewart
History 140
July 10, 2011

2. Roman Laws were created with the purpose of
providing Roman citizens with rights, as well as
establishing a social and political arrangement. These
laws were intended also to institute an ethical
principle throughout the empire. Roman law
prohibited the initiation of war unless no other option
was practical, and war was only approved of as a
defense or to keep peace. However, Romans were
known for their brutal attacks and self‐advancing
methods.

3. The first product of
Roman Law, the Twelve
Tables, believed to be
written sometime in the
years 451 and 450 B.C.
The purpose of these
tables were to give
Roman citizens rights to
legal identity and
protection through law.

4. During Justinian’s reign as
emperor, the Twelve Tables
were collected into four
volumes as an attempt for
over‐arching authority of
the law and which would
need no further
interpretations. These books
were called the Codex, the
Digest, the Pandect, and the
Institutions. The books,
however, did not serve their
purpose and called for
widespread explanations.

5.  Civil Law: The laws which primarily
governed Roman citizens throughout the
entire empire.
 Law of Nations: Due to the extensive
expansion of the empire, laws were created
to govern citizens and foreigners.
 Public International Law: Like the “Law of
Nations”, the large empire needed to create
a social order throughout the globe.