The struggle and distinction between social classes was a central feature of antiquity, from the first primitive civilizations in Mesopotamia to the advanced republic of Rome. The constant struggle between the upper and lower classes, the rich and the poor, forced lawmakers to try and alleviate these tensions in order to keep their societies from falling apart. However, the approach these lawmakers took to solve these problems were very different from one another. King Hammurabi of Mesopotamia created a law code that solidified the class distinctions present in the society by treating each class differently under the law, while Solon of Athens tried to create balance and compromise between the people by creating four classes based on property that correlated to political power. The Twelve Tables of Rome gave the illusion of equality between the Patricians, the upper class, and the Plebeians, the lower class, by awarding them the same rights under the law, but in reality, did not fully do away with the divide between the two groups.
Ancient Mesopotamian civilization was …show more content…
It came to be because of the ever present struggle between the elite of society, the Patricians, and the commoners, the Plebeians. This is because one of the means the Patricians had to oppress the Plebeians was the exclusivity of the knowledge of the law that they would change at will in order to preserve their privileges and protect their own interests. Therefore, the Plebeians demanded for the creation of a law code in order to “curb the arbitrary power of the patrician magistrates” and “achieve equality before the law.” (Twelve Tables, CP Page 29) After threatening to secede, the Plebeian’s wishes were finally granted, and the Twelve Tables were created. In 451 BC, the first decemviri, which was a board of ten men, was appointed to draw up the first ten tables. In 449 B.C., a second decemviri completed the last two
Ancient Mesopotamian civilization was …show more content…
It came to be because of the ever present struggle between the elite of society, the Patricians, and the commoners, the Plebeians. This is because one of the means the Patricians had to oppress the Plebeians was the exclusivity of the knowledge of the law that they would change at will in order to preserve their privileges and protect their own interests. Therefore, the Plebeians demanded for the creation of a law code in order to “curb the arbitrary power of the patrician magistrates” and “achieve equality before the law.” (Twelve Tables, CP Page 29) After threatening to secede, the Plebeian’s wishes were finally granted, and the Twelve Tables were created. In 451 BC, the first decemviri, which was a board of ten men, was appointed to draw up the first ten tables. In 449 B.C., a second decemviri completed the last two