OF GREECE AND ROME

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 554.

TEXT 3. THE LEGAL HERITAGE

TASK 15.Complete the text using the words from the box:

The ancient Greeks were among the first to develop ___________ that separated everyday law from ___________. Before the Greeks most civilizations attributed their laws to their gods or goddesses. Instead, the Greeks believed that laws were made by the people ___________.

In the seventh century B.C., Draco drew up Greece's first written code of laws. Under Draco's code death was the punishment for most offences. Thus, the term draconian usually applies to___________.

Several decades passed before Solon – poet, military hero and Athens's lawgiver – devised a new code of laws. ___________, an ancient Greek tradition was retained, but enslaving debtors was prohibited as were most of the harsh punishments of Draco's code. Under Solon's law citizens of Athens were eligible to serve in the assembly and courts were established in which they could ___________.

What Greeks may have contributed to the Romans was the concepts of “natural law”. In essence, natural law was based on the belief that certain basic principles are above ___________. These principles arise from the nature of people. The concept of natural law and the development of the first true legal system had a profound effect on ___________.

TASK 16.Translate the text.

TASK 17.Answer the following questions:

1. What does the ancient Greek concept of law comprise?

2. Why were the first laws mainly attributed to divine powers?

3. What is the origin and the meaning of the word “draconian”?

4. How do you understand the concept of natural law?

5. What was Solon's contribution to ancient law?

TASK 18. Translate the following passages into English:

1. Драконт – афинский законодатель. Крайне суровые законы Драконта предусматривали только одно наказание – смертную казнь – за незначительные правонарушения и тяжкие преступления.

2. Кодекс Драконта датируют 621 г. до н.э. Возможно этот кодекс был первым записанным сводом афинских законов.

3. Позднее Солон отменил драконтовы законы и издал новые. Согласно законам Солона прежним осталось лишь наказание за убийство.

TASK 19.Tell about the Legal Heritage of Greece and Rome. Make use of the words and expressions given in the tasks.