Essays should not exceed the maximum word-limit. If this limit is exceeded, the excess will not be marked. Choose one of the following topics. Support your discussion with evidence from Roman society. Whilst some generalisation may be unavoidable, avoid oversimplification.
Law reflects society.
Select examples from the Roman legal system to indicate the ways in which Roman law reflects Roman society, for better or worse. Legislation tells us more about the aims and fears of the law-makers than about social reality. Using specific examples from Roman law, assess the validity of this quotation. Passages for comment will be drawn from the course materials, Petronius, and Juvenal. Students must comment on two passages from course materials, and one each from Juvenal and Petronius.