Global History Project
Ticey Robertson
Senior Institution
The first known settlers of Ancient Rome lived on the Palatine hills. Most historians believe that these settlers were people called Latin’s. Latin’s also inhabited many neighboring towns in Latium, the region surrounding Rome. In the early 600’s Rome and other towns in Latium, come under the control of the Etruscans, a people who lived north of Latium. The Etruscans had come from Asia Minor. They had the most advanced civilization in Italy. They built road temples and public buildings in Rome. They also promoted trade and introduced the idea of the citizen’s assembly. Under Etruscans rule Rome grew from a village of farmers and shepherds into a prosperous city. The city became so powerful that the people were able to drive out the Etruscans in 509 B.C.
During the time of 409 B.C. through 509 B.C. the Roman empire were struggling to remove Etruscan kings and build the The Roman Republic, which is a system of laws that applied to it’s citizens. Romans were determined never again to be ruled by a monarch. The Romans struggled to develop a system of codes that would unify all the people include all a government to govern their new country. The Romans published their first known code of law about 450 B.C. This code called the laws of the twelve tables set down accepted practices in written forms Roman law remained flexible. It depended on the interpretation of skilled lawyers and judges through the years a general set of legal principles developed that governed all the various people living under Roman rule. Roman lawyers called this set of principles the “jasgentuim” was based on common sense nations of fairness. It took into account local customs and practices.
During the republic Rome develop a system of a law, known as the civil law that applied to its citizens. As Rome expanded, however, it ruled many foreigners who were not covered under the civil law. Gradually a second system of law, known as the law of nations, emerged. It applied to all people under Roman rule, citizens and non-citizens. During the Roman Empire, the rule of law fostered unity and stability. Many centuries later, the principles of Roman law would become the basic legal system of the United States. Some of the question that were being discuss by the Roman people were
“People of the same status are equal be fore the law”?
“An accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty”?
“The accused should be allowed to face his or her accuser and
defend against the charge”?
“Guilt must be established “clearer than daylight” through evidence”?
“Decisions should be based on fairness, allowing judges to interpret the law”?
A series of kings ruled ancient Rome at the beginning of its history. Each king was advised by a senate made of the heads of Rome’s leading families. Roman set up a new government called the republic Roman thought it would keep any individual from gaining too much power. The most powerful governing body was the senate. Its 300 members were all patricians’ members of the land holding upper class and are members of Rome oldest and riches families Patricians controlled not only the senate but also the senators, who serve for life, issued decrees and interpreted the laws. The senate conducted foreign policy, passed decrees official orders and handed the government fiances.
Family &The Woman
The Family was a basic Unit of Roman society. Under Roman law, the male head of the house, usually the father. Had absolute power in the family. He enforced strict discipline and demanded total respect for his authority His wife was subject to his authority and was not allowed to administer her on affairs. The idea of a Roman woman was loving, dutiful dignified and strong. Woman played an important role in child rearing and the management of the household. Part of their duties included control over slaves who performed many domestic tasks. This scene from a Roman mural found in the ancient city of Herculaneum depicts women with their slave’s hairdressers. Roman woman were noted for their strength and loyalty, but also for their social independence.
