12 TABLES OF ROME
BY ANDRES BAERGA & ASHER GORMAN
TABLE 1
If anyone summons a man before there referee, he must go. If the man summoned does not go, let the one summoning him call the bystanders to witness and then take him by force.
If he shirks or runs away, let the summoner lay hands on him.
TABLE 2
- He whose witness has failed to appear may summon him by loud calls before his house every third day.
TABLE 3
1.) One who has confessed a debt, or against whom judgment has been announced, shall have thirty days to pay it in. After that forcible seizure of his person is allowed.
2.) On the third market day let them divide his body among them. If they cut more or less than each one's share it shall be no crime.
TABLE 4
1.) A dreadfully deformed child shall be quickly killed.
2.) If a father sell his son three times, the son shall be free from his father.
TABLE 5
1.) No matter in what way the head of a household may dispose of his estate, and appoint heirs to the same, or guardians; it shall have the force and effect of law.
2.) Where a father dies, without leaving any proper heir, his nearest relative on his fathers side, or, if there is none, the next of kin among his family, shall be his heir.
3.) When a freedman dies without having a will, and does not leave any proper heir, but his patron, or the children of the latter survive him; the inheritance of the estate of the freedman shall be adjudged to the next of kin of the patron.
TABLE 6
1.) When anyone contracts a legal obligation with reference to his property, or sells it, by making a verbal statement or agreement concerning the same, this shall have the force and effect of law. If the party should afterwards deny his statements, and legal proceedings are instituted, he shall, by way of penalty, pay double the value of the property in question.
2.) Where a slave is ordered to be free by a will, upon his compliance with a certain condition, and he complies with the condition; or if, after having paid his price to the purchaser, he claims his liberty, he shall be free.
TABLE 7
1.) If an animal with four legs causes injury to anyone, let the owner tender him the estimated amount of the damage; and if he is unwilling to accept it, the owner shall, by way of reparation, surrender the animal that caused the injury.
2.) If you cause any unlawful damage accidentally and unintentionally, you must make good the loss, either by tendering what has caused it, or by payment.
TABLE 8
1.) A space of 2 1/2 feet must be left between each buildings.
2.) Societies and associations which have the right to assemble, can make, promulgate, and confirm for themselves such contracts and rules as they may desire; provided nothing is done by them contrary to public enactments, or which does not violate the common law.
TABLE 9
1.) No privileges shall be enforced in favor of private persons, to the injury of others contrary to the law common to all citizens.
2.) The same rights should be conferred upon, and the same laws should be considered to have been enforced for all the people residing in and beyond Latium, that have been enacted for good and loyal Roman citizens.
TABLE 10
1.) An oath should have the greatest force and effect, for the purpose of compelling good faith.
2.) Where a family adopts private religious rites every member of it can, afterwards, always make use of them.
TABLE 11
2.) Those who belong to the Congressional Order and are styled Fathers, should not contract marriage with peasants.
TABLE 12
1.) No one should provide sacred property with reference to which there is a controversy in court, where issue has already been joined; and if anyone does provide such property sacred, he shall pay double its value as a penalty.
2.) If the claim of anyone in whose favor judgment was rendered after the property had been illegally seized, the Praetor shall appoint three arbitrators.