Final answer:
The first Roman code of law, the Twelve Tables, addressed issues regarding private law, such as property rights, and public law, including punishment for crimes. These laws set precedents in legal procedures and introduced concepts like the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Romans' first code of law, known as the Twelve Tables, dealt with a variety of issues that were critical for maintaining order and justice in the early Republic. The laws covered components of private law, which included matters such as property rights and disputes between citizens, as well as aspects of public law, which involved punishments for people who broke the law, and outlined offenses seen as threats to the social order. Additionally, the Twelve Tables represented the early Romans' commitment to legal transparency and equality, as they ensured that all citizens, including the plebeians, understood the laws that governed them.
Roman law evolved to establish fundamental legal concepts, many of which are still prominent in modern legal systems. These include the use of precedent, the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty, and the idea that the spirit of the law can sometimes take precedence over its literal interpretation. This legal framework also allowed for the emergence of the Law of Nations, an early form of international law applied to the territories Rome began to conquer.
Roman law continued to adapt and expand, especially after the emperor Caracalla extended citizenship to all free men and women in 212 CE, making the Roman legal provisions applicable to nearly everyone within the Empire. Crucial to the Roman societal framework were the concepts of citizenship, the legal system's codification, and the ongoing debates on who should enjoy the benefits of civitas.