The Roman 12 Tables Overview

Multiple Choice

Which group in early Rome demanded that laws be written down and displayed publicly?

• Patricians

• Plebeians

• Senators

• Emperors

Open Ended

Why do you think having laws written down and made public is important for a society?

Open Ended

Explain why the Roman law required people to show up in court even if they were sick or old. What does this tell us about the importance of court attendance in Roman society?

Multiple Choice

Which rule in the Roman courtroom required you to go to someone's house and shout for them if they didn't show up as a witness?

• The Shout Rule

• The Carriage Rule

• The Excuse Rule

• The Attendance Rule

Multiple Select

What could happen if you did not pay your debt within 30 days according to Roman law?

• You could be arrested

• You would be forgiven

• You could be sold as a slave

• You would be fined

Multiple Choice

Which of the following statements about women in Roman family law is correct?

• Women always needed a male guardian to make big decisions.

• Women could be heads of the family.

• Women were free from guardianship after marriage.

• Women could sell their children into slavery.

Open Ended

Describe the '3-Sale Rule' in Roman family law and its significance for children and fathers.

Open Ended

What is a verbal contract as mentioned in the 12 tables? Were these contracts legally binding?

Open Ended

Describe a scenario where self-defense would go unpunished according to Table VIII.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a consequence for lying in court according to Table VIII?

• You are fined

• You are imprisoned

• You are flung from a mountainside

• You are exiled

Multiple Select

Which of the following are considered punishable crimes according to Table VIII?

• Burning someone's crops

• Helping an enemy of Rome

• Taking care of your road

• Lying in court

Multiple Choice

According to the laws described, what happens if a judge is caught taking a bribe?

• They are fined

• They are executed

• They are demoted

• They are imprisoned

Open Ended

Why do you think the Romans had such strict punishments for certain crimes, how do you think they effected society?

Open Ended

The Twelve Tables were created because the common people (Plebeians) went on 'strike' to demand that laws be written down so the rich couldn't just make them up. However, even after these laws were carved into bronze for everyone to see, many rules were still designed to protect the wealth and power of the upper class (Patricians).

Based on the laws we just read, how did the way these tables were 'founded' help the common people, but also show that the upper class was still in charge?

Multiple Select

What are some possible punishments listed in the Roman 'Punishment Menu'? Select all that apply.

• Fines

• Flogging

• Execution

• Banishment

Multiple Choice

Which group in Roman society was not allowed to marry the other, according to Tables XI & XII?

• Patricians and Plebeians

• Senators and Soldiers

• Merchants and Slaves

• Priests and Citizens

Multiple Choice

Which Table in Roman law allowed travelers to go wherever they wanted if the road wasn't paved?

• Table II

• Table VII

• Table VIII

• Table X

Multiple Choice

Which group in early Rome benefited from having secret laws before the 12 tables?

• Patricians

• Plebeians

• Slaves

• Merchants

Open Ended

How did the demand of the Plebeians to have laws written down in the Forum change Roman society?