Despotic states, which like simple laws, make great use of the law of retaliation. [1] Moderated states sometimes accept it, but with the difference that the former have it applied rigorously, and the others almost always introduce concessions.

The law of the Twelve Tables recognized two : it sentenced to retaliation only if it had not been possible to appease the plaintiff. [2] One could, after the verdict, pay damages with interest, [3] and the corporal punishment was converted to pecuniary punishment. [4]