Rome
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12 Tables = “1st written constitution,” rights of citizens
Key points of law =
o All citizens have right of equal treatment under law
o Person is innocent till proven guilty
o Burden of proof rests on accuser
o Law that seems unreasonable or unfair can be set aside
451 CE – Emperor Justinian rewrites laws = Justinian’s Code, basis for European law till 1800s with
Napoleon’s revision
1453 CE – fall of Byzantium & Eastern Roman Empire