Final answer:
The early Western legal codes were influenced by four significant elements: Hammurabi's Code, Rome's Twelve Tables, Moses and the Ten Commandments, and the concepts of precedent and the spirit of laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The early Western legal codes consisted of four significant elements that shaped the foundation of legal systems. These elements and their sources include:
- Hammurabi's Code: The Code of Hammurabi, dating back to 1780 BCE, was inscribed by the Babylonian king Hammurabi on stone pillars throughout his kingdom. It provided detailed laws and regulations on various aspects of society, including rights and obligations, fair treatment, and legal protections for women.
- Rome's Twelve Tables: The Twelve Tables of law were written down in 451 BCE by members of the Roman government and made publicly available. These laws aimed to reduce corruption and ensure fairness in legal proceedings, providing transparency and equal access to legal rights.
- Moses and the Ten Commandments: The biblical prophet Moses received a series of laws known as the Ten Commandments, which served as a moral and legal code for the Hebrew nation. These laws became fundamental principles of justice, ethics, and social order.
- Precedent and the Spirit of Laws: Roman law introduced the tradition of using precedent to shape legal decisions, as well as the idea that the spirit of laws is sometimes more important than a literal interpretation. These concepts influenced legal systems long after the decline of the Roman Empire.