What is the significance of the Law of the Twelve Tables in Roman law?

• A. It codified public law and defined magistrate powers.
• B. It established equal status for all Romans regardless of class.
• C. It codified private law and protected plebeian rights, forming the basis of private Roman law.
• D. It created a court hierarchy that replaced the Senate.

Answer: (C)

The significance lies in turning customary rules into a written, public framework for private life. The Twelve Tables codified private law—covering property, contracts, family, and civil actions—so everyday legal relations and disputes could be settled by clear, known rules rather than oral tradition or personal authority. Making these laws public gave plebeians a concrete basis for defending their rights and reduced the likelihood that patrons or judges could wield power arbitrarily. This codification becomes the foundation of private Roman law, shaping how people interacted legally for generations to come. It isn’t primarily about equal status, a court hierarchy, or sweeping changes to magistrate powers; those elements develop later as Roman law evolves.