Sources of Democratic Tradition

Roman Contribution
Written Law
-The Roman Republic - govn't where leaders elected to represent constituents
-Senate made up patricians - wealthy
-Senate chooses two executives to rule; consuls could only serve one term and consult Senate with big decisions
-The working class (plebeians) forced written law code w/ the Twelve Tables

Power to the Plebeians
-Twelve Tables established that free citizens had right to protection of the law and laws would be fairly administered (equal protection)
-Plebeians had nothing, but they eventually won the right to elect tribunes to represent the common man
-Tribunes had power to veto decisions that were harmful to Plebeians
-Over time, plebeians won right to serve in Roman Senate

Romans
Justinian Code
-6th century Byzantine emperor organizes all laws of Ancient Rome
-Commission establishes the Body of Civil Law
-His work of organizing laws lasts for millennia.

Christianity
Principles
-Jesus taught God's love and need for justice, morality, and service.
-"Love your neighbor as yourself" and "if anyone hits you on the cheek, let him hit the other one to"
-"It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle..."
-Early Christians emphasized equality by calling each other "brother" and "sister"
-All are equal in God's eyes.

Synthesis
-Greco-Roman law is based on logic and reason.
-Judeo-Christian law is based on faith in God.
-Greco-Roman, Judeo-Christian, and modern democracy all hold that no one is above the law.
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