Classical Studies 2301A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Numa Pompilius, Roman Magistrate, Roman Kingdom

• School: Western University
• Department: Classical Studies
• Course: Classical Studies 2301A/B
• Professor: debra nousek

Document Summary

Athenian law may have been influential, but roman law still serves as the basis of much modern. Nevertheless, the field of roman law usually focuses on private law (or civil law) rather than public law (or criminal law). Scholars of roman law distinguish at least three periods: the pre-classical (up to the first century. Bce), the classical (through the third century ce), and the post-classical (from the beginning of the fourth century ce). Another periodization divides the early republic (ending in the third century bce), the late republic (ending in 31 bce), the classical period (lasting until the crisis of the third century ce), and the later empire or postclassical period. Periodization is important because it shows that roman law wasn"t always the same and that historical changes happen slowly and not all at once. The traditional date of the foundation of rome was 753 bce, and at first rome was ruled by kings who were elected for life.