the twelve tables

The roman way of conducting law is the precursor to modern-day ways. The Romans where the first people to have written laws, in a way that everyone could see and read them. These laws were called the twelve tables. They were carved into wood and put on a big sign all over Rome. They did this because it was becoming apparent that some people did not know the laws, and others were misconstruing the laws in their favor. Eventually Rome would move on to different legal codes, however, the idea of written law would be contained for centuries.