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The Roman Republic ended with the expulsion of the last king, Tarquinius Superbus.
The Roman Republic ended with the expulsion of the last king, Tarquinius Superbus.
False (B)
Two annual officials, initially called praetors and later consuls, replaced the single ruler with a life tenure.
Two annual officials, initially called praetors and later consuls, replaced the single ruler with a life tenure.
True (A)
The rex sacrorum was appointed to oversee the military and political functions of the Republic.
The rex sacrorum was appointed to oversee the military and political functions of the Republic.
False (B)
The Senate was originally a solely patrician body, but plebeians eventually gained access due to their struggle for equal rights.
The Senate was originally a solely patrician body, but plebeians eventually gained access due to their struggle for equal rights.
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The Senate nominated its own members and, therefore, controlled its own composition.
The Senate nominated its own members and, therefore, controlled its own composition.
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The auctoritas patrum was a formality that granted the Senate the right to approve laws made by the assembly.
The auctoritas patrum was a formality that granted the Senate the right to approve laws made by the assembly.
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The lex Publilia Philonis of b.c. 339 ensured that the auctoritas patrum was given after a matter was submitted to the people.
The lex Publilia Philonis of b.c. 339 ensured that the auctoritas patrum was given after a matter was submitted to the people.
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The increasing number of plebeians in the Senate diminished the significance of the auctoritas patrum.
The increasing number of plebeians in the Senate diminished the significance of the auctoritas patrum.
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Jus gentium is also known as the 'law of the peoples'.
Jus gentium is also known as the 'law of the peoples'.
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The core law, jus civile, included legal customs applicable to both citizens and non-citizens.
The core law, jus civile, included legal customs applicable to both citizens and non-citizens.
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The jus gentium developed through a single planned effort by Roman lawmakers.
The jus gentium developed through a single planned effort by Roman lawmakers.
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The Praetor Urbanus was responsible for legal cases primarily involving foreign individuals.
The Praetor Urbanus was responsible for legal cases primarily involving foreign individuals.
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The edicts of the Peregrine Praetor were the sole cause of the emergence of jus gentium in Roman law.
The edicts of the Peregrine Praetor were the sole cause of the emergence of jus gentium in Roman law.
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Jus naturale represents universal principles of fairness believed to be rational.
Jus naturale represents universal principles of fairness believed to be rational.
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Most Roman legal experts embraced the concept of jus naturale as instinctual law shared by all animals.
Most Roman legal experts embraced the concept of jus naturale as instinctual law shared by all animals.
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The concept of jus gentium was shaped significantly by the needs of a diverse society.
The concept of jus gentium was shaped significantly by the needs of a diverse society.
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The comitia curiata primarily passed laws of general application.
The comitia curiata primarily passed laws of general application.
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In ancient Rome, patricians were believed to be the only original citizen body.
In ancient Rome, patricians were believed to be the only original citizen body.
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Clients in Rome were independent citizens with no connections to patrician houses.
Clients in Rome were independent citizens with no connections to patrician houses.
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The relationship between a patron and a client was considered sacred in Roman society.
The relationship between a patron and a client was considered sacred in Roman society.
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The Law of the Twelve Tables was indifferent to the treatment of clients by patrons.
The Law of the Twelve Tables was indifferent to the treatment of clients by patrons.
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Virgil in the Aeneid depicts patrons who betray clients as being rewarded in the afterlife.
Virgil in the Aeneid depicts patrons who betray clients as being rewarded in the afterlife.
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The distinctions between patricians, plebeians, and clients are clearly understood and undisputed in Roman history.
The distinctions between patricians, plebeians, and clients are clearly understood and undisputed in Roman history.
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Clientage as a social institution was unique to Rome.
Clientage as a social institution was unique to Rome.
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During the time of Rome's kings, formal laws as we understand them likely existed.
During the time of Rome's kings, formal laws as we understand them likely existed.
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Pomponius wrote during the reign of Emperor Hadrian.
Pomponius wrote during the reign of Emperor Hadrian.
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According to Pomponius, Romulus proposed laws to the Comitia Curiata.
According to Pomponius, Romulus proposed laws to the Comitia Curiata.
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The Jus Civile Papirianum was said to contain laws that were amended by Papirius.
The Jus Civile Papirianum was said to contain laws that were amended by Papirius.
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Cicero criticized the Comitia Curiata for not accurately representing an assembly.
Cicero criticized the Comitia Curiata for not accurately representing an assembly.
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Sextus Papirius is believed to have been the first pontifex maximus of the Republic.
Sextus Papirius is believed to have been the first pontifex maximus of the Republic.
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The early laws proposed by the kings were eventually recognized and accepted by the general populace.
The early laws proposed by the kings were eventually recognized and accepted by the general populace.
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The collection of laws attributed to Sextus Papirius was likely of a legal nature.
The collection of laws attributed to Sextus Papirius was likely of a legal nature.
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Curule aediles were originally responsible for controlling the markets in Rome.
Curule aediles were originally responsible for controlling the markets in Rome.
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The censors were chosen every year to assess citizenship and taxation.
The censors were chosen every year to assess citizenship and taxation.
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The period known as the 'Principate' featured a clear separation of powers between the Emperor and the Senate.
The period known as the 'Principate' featured a clear separation of powers between the Emperor and the Senate.
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During the early years of the Roman Empire, the old laws like lex and plebiscitum were still significant sources of Roman law.
During the early years of the Roman Empire, the old laws like lex and plebiscitum were still significant sources of Roman law.
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The office of quaestor is considered to be held in high esteem compared to other Roman magistracies.
The office of quaestor is considered to be held in high esteem compared to other Roman magistracies.
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The Senate's role in lawmaking predominantly involved formal approvals of laws proposed by the Emperor.
The Senate's role in lawmaking predominantly involved formal approvals of laws proposed by the Emperor.
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The cursus honorum was a path through which Romans rose to the consulship.
The cursus honorum was a path through which Romans rose to the consulship.
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Julius Caesar became pontifex maximus at the age of fifty.
Julius Caesar became pontifex maximus at the age of fifty.
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The Emperor Severus made an important law solely through a documented decision made in the Senate.
The Emperor Severus made an important law solely through a documented decision made in the Senate.
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The Edictum Perpetuum was created to allow yearly laws to become permanent.
The Edictum Perpetuum was created to allow yearly laws to become permanent.
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Censors had the power to determine membership in the Senate.
Censors had the power to determine membership in the Senate.
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Curule aediles were introduced at the same time as the praetorship.
Curule aediles were introduced at the same time as the praetorship.
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Rescripts are written responses from the Emperor to inquiries made by the Senate only.
Rescripts are written responses from the Emperor to inquiries made by the Senate only.
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Mandates are specific orders directed towards officials within the Roman government.
Mandates are specific orders directed towards officials within the Roman government.
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Initially, quaestors primarily managed military operations.
Initially, quaestors primarily managed military operations.
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The legal system of the Empire integrated direct orders from the Senate without any influence from the Emperor.
The legal system of the Empire integrated direct orders from the Senate without any influence from the Emperor.
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Study Notes
Roman Law Study Notes
- Roman law is a complex subject that developed over centuries
- There were different types of law in Roman history
- The regal period (753 BC–510 BC) was ruled by kings, and
- The social unit was the patriarchal family, ruled by a male ascendant—the Paterfamilias
- Kinship was agnatic (through males)
- Outside the family were clans (Gentes), groups with a common name and a shared ancestry
- The king had a significant role in wartime, legal decisions, and religious rituals
- The Senate was an advisory body to the king
- The people (the assembly) also had a role in Roman government.
- The Servian Constitution (attributed to Servius Tullius) created a new popular assembly, the Comitia Centuriata
- The assembly was organized around military units called centuries, reflecting wealth distinctions
- The Comitia Curiata was another central assembly, particularly involved in early religious and family matters
- The Twelve Tables (circa 450 BC) are considered the first written code of Roman law,
- The Twelve Tables dealt with various aspects of Roman life—from family law to criminal offenses.
- The distinction between public and private law became crucial
- The concept of jus naturale (natural law) was explored,
- The Romans distinguished between Jus Naturale (natural law), Jus Gentium (law of nations), and Jus Civile (civil law)
- Over time, the nature of Roman law changed significantly, from the era of kings to the Republic, and finally to the Empire.
- In the Republic, important offices, such as consuls and praetors, gained more significant power in lawmaking and administration of Roman justice.
- Imperial constitutions, like Edicts and Decrees, supplanted earlier forms of legislation and gained prominence.
- The concept of "responsa prudentium" (opinions of legal experts) became vital in determining how the law was applied.
- The Institutes of Gaius and the work of other legal experts in Roman history were important sources for understanding Roman law
- Legal practices, procedures, and rules evolved significantly over time, reflecting social and political changes.
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Description
Explore the intricacies of Roman law through this quiz that covers its historical development, key periods, and influential structures like the Senate and various assemblies. Gain insights into the roles of the Paterfamilias and the significance of the Twelve Tables. Test your knowledge and understanding of this foundational legal system.
