As I stated when starting this website, I would sometimes use it to record notes for the future.  Diving tonight into ancient Roman Law – fun, right?  I found some interesting things which seem to be kind of timely, especially since America maintains that its government and legal system is based on Greco-Roman concepts.

Much like today, the ancients discussed, wrote, haggled, argued and created new laws.  And there were, of course, opposing and dissenting sides.

Around 100BC, there was a problem with bills passing too quickly.

Gaius Marius, the general who devised breaking legions into cohorts and is sometimes referred to as the ‘third founder of Rome’, secured the title Consul an unprecedented seven times.  He and his “cronies” passed land laws rewarding his veterans with acreage in Africa that excluded a large part of the Roman citizenry.

Around 80BC, the opposition passed decrees known as the Caecilin and Didian laws which determined an appropriate amount of time for new bills to be introduced, discussed, measured and voted on, also limiting the “pork” or amendments that could be attached to a bill that had nothing to do with the bill.

Even in those ancient times, men saw the inherent dangers in people pushing bills too quickly through their system.  Men have always been crooked, trying to take advantage of any power they can get their hands on.  Attaching bills to bills that have nothing to do with the initial bill was seen as a threat to stability and truth.

It was just someone seeking a reward for voting for something they didn’t really want to vote for.

The ancients were no different than our politicians today.  Think about it.  They required protection from predatory politicians who rewarded their friends and associates, disregarding the needs and rights of the people.

Click Here to see Allen M Werner’s Amazon Author’s Page