Ab urbe condita

The future laws for Rome should be such as would appear to have been no less unanimously proposed by the people themselves than ratified by them on the proposal of others.”

When it appeared that they had been sufficiently amended in accordance with the expression of public opinion on each head, the Laws of the Ten Tables were passed by the Assembly of Centuries. Even in the mass of legislation today, where laws are piled one upon another in a confused heap, they still form the source of all public and private jurisprudence.

After their ratification, the remark was generally made that two tables were still wanting; if they were added, the body, as it might be called, of Roman law would be complete. As the day for the elections approached, this impression created a desire to appoint decemvirs for a second year.

The plebeians had learnt to detest the name of “consul” as much as that of “king,” and now as the decemvirs allowed an appeal from one of their body to another, they no longer required the aid of their tribunes.

But after notice had been given that the election of decemvirs would be held on

the third market day,[*](the third market day —The country people —i. e. the bulk of the population —came into the City to market every eighth day, and consequently the Assembly met for business on those days. It became customary to give notice on the third market day previous to the Assembly.) such eagerness to be amongst those elected displayed itself, that even the foremost men of the State began an individual canvass as humble suitors for an office which they had previously with all their might opposed, seeking it at the hands of that very plebs with which they had hitherto

been in conflict. I think they feared that if they did not fill posts of such great authority, they would be open to men who were not worthy of them. Appius Claudius was keenly alive to the chance that he might not be reelected, in spite of his age and the honours