Upon reading the Twelve Tables, an 5th century B.C. Roman document providing law related to various aspects of Roman life, quite a bit can be gleaned about some of the major aspects of Roman society at that time. From the importance of fatherhood to evidence of an ongoing class-war, these laws provide a wealth of insight into various societal qualities of Rome at the creation of its first true legislation.
Before any quality interpretation of the text, it should be noted the context within which the Twelve Tables were constituted. This is described quite clearly in Traditions and Encounters; the text states, “In 449 B.C.E. patricians made a further concession to plebeians by promulgating Rome’s first set of laws, known as the Twelve Tables, which drew upon Greek laws in …show more content…
In table IV, over the course of several laws, the duties of a father over his family, particularly his son, are described. Though brief in mention, we know from class discussion the importance underlying of the trait of fatherhood. From Traditions and Encounters we see it stated quite eloquently: “Usually the eldest male ruled the household as paterfamilias (“father of the family”). Roman law gave the paterfamilias the authority to arrange marriages for his children, determine the work or duties they would perform, and punish them for offenses as they saw fit. He had the rights also to sell them into slavery and even execute them. (p.223)” Paterfamilias generally had full authority over all aspects of their household, this aspect being emphasized by their practical complete control over their children as described in the both the tables and the textbook. Whether or not such a social structure was fully instituted at the creation the tables it cannot be reasonably inferred, but there does appear to be definite reference to, at least, the beginnings of such a
Before any quality interpretation of the text, it should be noted the context within which the Twelve Tables were constituted. This is described quite clearly in Traditions and Encounters; the text states, “In 449 B.C.E. patricians made a further concession to plebeians by promulgating Rome’s first set of laws, known as the Twelve Tables, which drew upon Greek laws in …show more content…
In table IV, over the course of several laws, the duties of a father over his family, particularly his son, are described. Though brief in mention, we know from class discussion the importance underlying of the trait of fatherhood. From Traditions and Encounters we see it stated quite eloquently: “Usually the eldest male ruled the household as paterfamilias (“father of the family”). Roman law gave the paterfamilias the authority to arrange marriages for his children, determine the work or duties they would perform, and punish them for offenses as they saw fit. He had the rights also to sell them into slavery and even execute them. (p.223)” Paterfamilias generally had full authority over all aspects of their household, this aspect being emphasized by their practical complete control over their children as described in the both the tables and the textbook. Whether or not such a social structure was fully instituted at the creation the tables it cannot be reasonably inferred, but there does appear to be definite reference to, at least, the beginnings of such a