But as a supplement appeared necessary, decemvirs were again nominated in the year 304, who added two more tables.

Thus originated the first and only Roman code, the law of the Twelve Tables.

It proceeded from a compromise between parties, and for that very reason could not well have contained any changes in the existing law of a comprehensive nature, going beyond the regulation of secondary matters and of the mere adaptation of means and ends.

Even in the system of credit no further alleviation was introduced than the establishment of a--probably low--maximum of interest (10 per cent) and the threatening of heavy penalties against the usurer-penalties, characteristically enough, far heavier than those of the thief; the harsh procedure in actions of debt remained at least in its leading features unaltered.

Still less, as may easily be conceived, were changes contemplated in the rights of the orders.