Twelve Tables
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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The Law of the Twelve Tables (Lex Duodecim Tabularum, more informally simply Duodecim Tabulae) was the ancient legislation that stood at the foundation of Roman law. The Law of the Twelve Tables formed the centerpiece of the constitution of the Roman Republic and the core of the mos maiorum. The Twelve Tables must be distinguished from the unrelated, much older "twelve shields" of King Numa Pompilius.
TABLE VIII (Torts)
- Qui malum carmen incantassit…
Those who have incanted an "evil song"... (interpreted by Cicero as slander, in City of God 2.9)
- Si membrum rupsit, ni cum eo pacit, talio and esto.
If one has maimed another and does not buy his peace, there be retaliation in kind.
- Manu fustive si os fregit libero, CCC, si servo, CL poenam subito si iniuriam faxsit, viginti quinque poenae sunto.
Someone who breaks another's bone by hand or club must pay 300 sesterces; for a slave, 150; if he has done simple harm against another, 25.
- Qui fruges excantassit… neve alienam segetem pellexeris
Someone who kills crops with a spell, or another's corn…
- Patronus si clienti fraudem fecerit, sacer esto.
If a patron defrauds his client, let him be outlawed.
- Qui se sierit testarier libripensve fuerit, ni testimonium fatiatur, inprobus intestabilisque esto.
If one has been called to witness, or hold the scales, unless he gives his testimony, let him be dishonoured and incapable of further testimony.
- Si telum manu fugit magis quam iecit, arietem subicito.
If an object flies unaimed from your hand rather than aimed [and causes injury], you will owe a ram.
