A Decemvirate (Latin: decemviri, "ten men") refers to any commission or body of ten men in ancient Rome. These commissions were appointed for specific purposes, often for a limited period, and held varying degrees of power and responsibility. The most famous and historically significant decemvirates were those appointed to codify Roman law, resulting in the creation of the Twelve Tables.
Historical Context and the Twelve Tables
The concept of a decemvirate is most famously associated with the mid-5th century BCE in the Roman Republic. At this time, tensions were high between the patricians (the aristocratic class) and the plebeians (the common people). A key demand of the plebeians was for the codification of existing, unwritten laws, which they felt were often manipulated by patrician magistrates to their disadvantage.
To address these grievances, a commission of ten men, known as the Decemviri Legibus Scribundis ("Ten Men for Writing Laws"), was appointed.
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First Decemvirate (451 BCE): This first body of decemvirs, composed entirely of patricians, was granted supreme authority for one year, suspending other magistracies like the consulship and tribunate. They successfully drafted and published ten tables of laws, which were displayed in the Roman Forum for public review and approval. These laws were generally considered fair and addressed many plebeian concerns.
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Second Decemvirate (450-449 BCE): Due to the perceived success and the need to complete the legal code, a second decemvirate was elected. This body included some plebeians, but was dominated by the patrician Appius Claudius Crassus. This second commission added two more tables, completing what became known as the Twelve Tables. However, their rule became increasingly tyrannical. Appius Claudius, in particular, abused his power, leading to an uprising and the eventual overthrow of the decemvirate. The plebeians seceded to the Aventine Hill, forcing the restoration of the traditional magistracies (consuls and tribunes of the plebs) and the re-establishment of the Republic.
Significance of the Twelve Tables
The Twelve Tables represented the earliest written legal code of the Roman Republic. While often considered harsh by modern standards, they were a monumental achievement in Roman law. Their significance lies in:
- Transparency and Accessibility: By being written down and publicly displayed, the laws were no longer subject to arbitrary interpretation by magistrates, providing a measure of legal certainty for all citizens.
- Foundation of Roman Law: The Twelve Tables formed the bedrock of subsequent Roman law, influencing legal development for centuries. Many later legal principles and institutions can trace their origins back to these early provisions.
- Symbol of Plebeian Victory: Despite the tyranny of the second decemvirate, the creation of the Tables was a significant victory for the plebeians in their struggle for greater legal and political equality.
Other Decemvirates
While the legal decemvirates are the most prominent, the term was also used for other Roman commissions of ten men, including:
- Decemviri Sacris Faciundis: A college of priests responsible for consulting the Sibylline Books, particularly during times of crisis, and overseeing certain foreign rites.
- Decemviri Stlitibus Iudicandis: A board of ten magistrates who served as judges in civil cases, especially those involving the freedom of individuals.
- Decemviri Agris Dandis Adsignandis: Commissions appointed to manage and distribute public lands.
In summary, the decemvirate, particularly in its role in creating the Twelve Tables, represents a pivotal moment in Roman legal and political history, marking a critical step towards a more formalized and accessible legal system.