TWELVE TABLES
ESSENTIAL SKILL: 1) ASSESS
INFORMATION ABOUT ANCIENT
ROMAN LAW AND U.S. LAW TODAY,
AND DRAW CONCLUSIONS ABOUT
COMPARISONS AND CONTRASTS.
2) DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING
OF HOW TO PROPERLY CONTRAST.
Comparisons between 12 Tables and
U.S. Bill of Rights
Twelve Tables




Innocent until proven guilty
U.S. Bill of Rights
 5th Amt: Rights of the
Accused
Right to face accusers &
defend self

6th Amt: Right to face
witnesses against you
Judges must make fair
decisions

5th & 6th Amts: procedures for
fair trial
People have rights no
government can take away

9th Amt: People have other
protected rights
How to WRITE about Contrasts (You must
mention both places. Use a transition.)

Americans have freedom of speech and religion,
but Romans do not have those rights.

Americans cannot be forced to house soldiers.
By contrast, Romans had to allow soldiers in their
homes if ordered to do so.

Americans are protected from unreasonable
searches and seizures, whereas Romans could
have their land taken away if the emperor
wanted to build a temple in his honor.
More Contrasts: Ancient Rome & U.S.
(Practice: Explain it as you would write it.)
Ancient Rome
United States Today

2 Chief Executives (consuls)

1 Chief Executive (President)

Chief Exec. chosen by
Legislature

Chief Exec. chosen by
citizens (via EC)

Senators have life terms

Senators have 6 year terms

8 Judges – 1 year term

9 Justices – life term

Full citizens must be male
landowners

Women are citizens & don’t
need to own land
Venn Diagram - Comparisons & Contrasts

Directions: Use a pencil to place all terms in the Venn diagram. Be ready to
explain your answers as if practicing for a short answer question.

17 Items: Freedom of Speech / Freedom of Religion / Republic

Women vote & hold office / Jury Duty / Banned Slavery / Democracy

Freedom from Cruel & Unusual Punishment / Direct Democracy

Right to a fair trial / Citizens can serve in Govt. / Legislators serve life terms

Legislators serve limited terms / 3 Branches of Government

Legislature has 2 Houses / Women can’t vote / Military leaders ruled Govt.