Chapter 27 3. Rome ruled by law

The most incredible transformation was the Romans, who turned totems into laws. This is not surprising.Rome itself is a miracle. True, when Rome emerged on the world stage, it was initially inconspicuous.When Rome began to build a city in 753 BC, the Egyptians had already built pyramids, the Persians had invented Zoroastrianism, India's "Vedas" had been completed, and China had entered the Eastern Zhou Dynasty.Even Greece has hosted six Olympic Games.What is Rome at this time? Small country. The weakness of Rome even saved them from many catastrophes, because no one took them seriously.Soon, however, they amazed the world.Rome, which was booming, swept away Italy, occupied Spain, conquered Arabia, and collected many ancient civilizations.Macedonia, Syria, Greece, and Egypt all became Roman provinces, and were even renamed "Africa".

Thus, Rome got a nickname - "Conqueror of the World". However, although the Romans turned the Mediterranean Sea into their own inner lake, if that was all they had, they were at most just heroic cavalry, men who opened up territories, and even murderous warriors.However, Rome's contribution to the world is not military, but cultural.At least for Westerners, Rome is not just a city, a country, a piece of history, but also a culture and spirit. So, what is the most precious legacy that Rome left to the world? Christianity, Roman law. Perhaps, this is the reason why Rome's weapon of conquering the world is immortal.Yes, since Antony and the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra committed suicide in defeat, Octavian was called "Augustus", and the Roman Republic that lasted for five hundred years came to an end.After that, the Roman Empire kept pace with the Han Dynasty in China.He prospers first, then divides, and finally perishes.

The days of Rome are long enough. For such a long time and such a large territory, what did the Romans rely on to maintain and maintain it? contract. As "good students of the Greeks", the Romans gave full play to the spirit of the contract established by the Greeks.Both Christianity and Roman law are its concentrated expressions.Christianity is "covenant with God".There are two signings, the first signing is called the "Old Testament", and the second signing is called the "New Testament".Roman law is "legislation for men".There are also two kinds of legislation, one is called "public law" and the other is called "private law".Public law deals with state affairs, while private law deals with relations between citizens.With public law and private law, the country and the people will have their own divisions and their own places, and they will not become chaotic.The citizens, in particular, have both a sense of security and a sense of freedom.Because when they need safety, they are protected by law; when they need freedom, they have a clear distinction between public and private.

The function of the state was successfully embodied by Roman law.How could Rome not succeed as a country? The code that clearly defines "public and private rights" and reasonably disposes of public and private rights is called "Civil Law Encyclopedia".It was done by the Eastern Roman Empire.At that time, China had the Nanliang in the south and the Northern Wei in the north; while in Europe, there were wars and wars.This can not but make people sigh with emotion!Yeah, the Romans seemed to have an innate legal mind and legal interest.They actually figured out this way to manage that huge and complicated country, and they are still enjoying it when there is only half of it left.

Of course, the law is not the only one, or even the most important.None of this would have been possible without the iron heels of the Roman legions.Rome, in fact, is like the republic described by the French painter Jerome: the strong goddess holds an olive branch in her left hand, a steel knife in her right hand, and behind her is a lion that may roar at any time. But what does this have to do with totems?

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