Constitutional Background of Roman Law

Abstract

The science of law is autonomous but not independent. It cannot live isolated from politics and culture. Law is part of a social structure, of tradition, of a collective human project. Law is a branch of politics in the noblest sense. Legal institutions, concepts, and ideas are so often a natural consequence of political ideals and values. Political revolutions many times involve legal revolutions. Therefore, to help the reader understand Roman law in context, what follows is a brief summary of the most significant aspects of ancient Rome’s unwritten political constitution from the foundation of Rome in 753 BCE until the death of Emperor Justinian in 565 CE.

Keywords: Rome, Monarchy, Roman Republic, Magistrates, Senate, SPQR, Colonies, Municipia, Principate