[Bluntpoint]

Actually, our common law is based on Grecian Law. Which predated the 10 Commandments (year approx 1300 B.C.

Around 621 B.C. a citizen of Greece, named Draco, came up with laws (now referred to as Draco's Law) that we follow today. Such as: Giving the state exclusive right to punish a crime as compared to private justice.

[Bluntpoint]

Drakonian law included four major procedural features including: the necessity of a trial, the possibility of a pardon, which " . . . intended to protect both parties in a homicide case from a possibly fatal misunderstanding while they were negotiating a settlement of their dispute . . . " (Gagarin, 88), the protection of the killer, and the promise that " . . . due notice is to be given of a trial and . . . certain relatives and others will share in the prosecution" (Gagarin, 88). Draco also set up a specific procedure that was to be followed in circumstances of pardon (Gagarin).

See: http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:t0s0jNI9J4sJ:www.auburn.edu/~downejm/sp/alpdraco.html+Draco+law&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

[apackof2]

Actually your wrong

[AmericanDave]

"Around 621 B.C. a citizen of Greece, named Draco, came up with laws (now referred to as Draco's Law) that we follow today. Such as: Giving the state exclusive right to punish a crime as compared to private justice. "

Private justice would include the right to self defense; a right we consider primary. Beware a state that has the sole power to punish.