Ancient Rome developed from a tiny town in central Italy to an enormous empire that stretched from Britain around the entire Mediterranean Sea. Its legal system developed in tandem, from the Law of the Twelve Tables in 451-450 BCE to the monumental Digest of Justinian almost 1,000 years later, eventually becoming the foundation for modern European law and the law of many countries in the Americas. We'll examine both particular laws and legal process (for example, what laws regulated contracts? what were the Roman laws on marriage and divorce? how did lawsuits work?) and how those laws worked in society (why was it illegal to give your spouse a gift? how and why did the first Roman emperor, Augustus, intervene with his laws on marriage and morality in what had been considered family matters? what legal strategies could you use to win your case in court?).

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.

Degree Requirements: WFY - First Year Writing

Typical Periods Offered: Fall

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall