Just a reminder that there is a Roman group for the discussion of Roman law, Lex Romana. The discussion on The Law of the Twelve Tables there is quite undeveloped. However, I will try to cross-post points of discussion as they arise. This particular subject clearly belongs in both groups.

My own studies have led me to conclude that you can't understand "early Rome" without understanding the Roman state religion... which you can't understand without understanding Roman law... which started with the Twelve Tables... which you can't understand without understanding the state religion... which makes no sense unless you look at Roman law....

Talk about chickens and eggs!

Actually all this has started me thinking about the word "pontifex." Now that just has to mean "bridge builder" if you take it literally. No wonder Romans were such fabulous engineers. It was a religious matter. And legal.