How did the roman code of laws develop, and what were some of its basic principles?

The Romans, tired of fighting for years against the last king of Rome, Tarquin the proud, and being ruled by others, decided to rule themselves. They therefore formed a new type of government called a republic, where every citizen could vote for leaders. The people came up with laws that would apply to both rich and poor. They engraved them on 12 stone tables so that no one could change them but everyone could read them. The laws were about crime, property and family matters like marriage and inheritance.