The Code of Hammurabi
Hammurabi was the sixth king of Babylonia who reigned from 1792-1750 B.C. He is known for composing a collection of 282 laws known as The Code of Hammurabi. Although The Code of Hammurabi was not the first Mesopotamian law code, it is the most complete. Archaeologists found the code in 1901 in the Persian Mountains. It was inscribed on a large stone, which also had a carving of Hammurabi accepting the laws from the god of justice, Shamash. This code allows us to take a peak into the lifestyle of ancient Mesopotamians. Hammurabi's Code revolved around social class structure; penalties for crimes were more severe if committed against a noble than if committed against a lower classman. The laws covered every aspect of Mesopotamian life both personal and p
For instance, if a physician accidentally killed a patrician during surgery, the physician's hand would be cut off. ublic: family, business, work, marriage, and crimes. If he did, then they would be treated like family. Obviously, swimming had not been discovered yet. One must prove that the convicted person committed the crime or they would be killed. These laws were established to protect consumers against careless workmanship. Religion was important to Mesopotamians and they thought the gods would save the person if they hadn't committed the crime. The man would decide whether or not he acknowledged the children to be legitimate. For centuries people followed the strict code and Hammurabi's dynasty remained strong until the Kassites took it over around 1550 B. Slave women often had men's children. However, bearing false witness to a crime was harshly punished. Mesopotamian women, like in most cultures, were not considered to be as powerful as the men. If the house collapsed and killed the owner's son, the builder's son would be killed.
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