gn laws would be of use in
digesting the new code of regulations. Other persons made up the number.
They say that persons advanced in years were appointed by the last
suffrages, in order that they might oppose with less warmth the opinions
of others. The direction of the entire government was rested in Appius
through the favour of the commons, and he had assumed a demeanour so
new, that from a severe and harsh reviler of the people, he became
suddenly a protector of the commons, and a candidate for popular favour.
They administered justice to the people one every tenth day. On that day
the twelve fasces attended the praefect of justice; one beadle attended
each of his nine colleagues, and in the singular harmony among
themselves, which unanimity might sometimes prove prejudicial to private
persons, the strictest equity was shown to others. It will suffice to
adduce a proof of their moderation by instancing one matter. Though they
had been appointed without (the privilege of) appeal, yet a dead body
having been found buried in the house of Publius Sestius, a man of
patrician rank, and this having been brought forward in an assembly, in
a matter equally clear and atrocious, Caius Julius, a decemvir,
appointed a day of trial for Sestius, and appeared before the people as
prosecutor (in a matter) of which he was legally a judge; and
relinquished his right, so that he might add what had been taken from
the power of the office to the liberty of the people.

34. Whilst the highest and lowest alike experienced from them this
prompt administration of justice, impartial, as if from an oracle, then
their attention was devoted to the framing of laws; and the ten tables
being proposed amid the intense expectation of all, they summoned the
people to an assembly: and "what may prove favourable, advantageous, and
happy to the commonwealth themselves, and to their children, ordered
them to go and read the laws that were exhibited." "That they had
equalized the rights of all, both the highest and the lowest, as far as
could be devised by the abilities of ten men; that the understanding and
counsels of a greater number might prove more successful; that they
should turn in their minds each particular within themselves, canvass it
in conversation; and bring together under public discussion whatever
might seem an excess or deficiency under each particular. That the Roman
people should have such laws, as the general consent might appear not so