In 451 bce roman laws were written down, they were known as the twelve tables. what caused the roman government to finally write these laws down? why was it important for citizens to have written laws?

The tables were written down to settle a social conflict between the patricians (the ruling class) and the plebeians. Both were trying to have advantage in this conflict using different means, and it was felt that a proper procedure in such conflich, which would ensure a stabilisation in the country, as no more such chaotic conflicts would take place.