The Code of Hammurabi
Hammurabi, king of Babylonia from 1795-1750 BC, is the earliest recorded example of a ruler or king that gave his people a written "entire body of laws arranged in orderly groups" (Horne 1). He did this so that all people under his control would know what he expected of them morally and professionally. This group of laws, known to us as The Code of Hammurabi, gives us great insight on the ways of the Babylonians. Hammurabi ruled Babylonia with unlimited power and absolute authority. He expressed goodwill towards his people and protected the weak, lower class citizens from upper class citizens of higher status and power. Women citizens were noble, respected, and free. He protected consumers from professionals causing harm by faulty work and poor work ethics. In addition, he protected his citizens from judges that made careless, unjust mistakes during law cases and court proceedings. The Code clearly stipulates punishments for crimes against morality and society. Commonly referred to as the law of "an eye for an eye" and "a tooth for a tooth" (Johns 11), it accepts no excuses or explanations for any crime committed. The only recourse that the accused person would have was to throw hi
It states that if a merchant sells stolen property, is caught by the owner, and the owner can prove that the property being sold is his; the owner will get his property back and the merchant is put to death. No one under Hammurabi's empire was untouched by these laws. It states, if a mother is found guilty of incest with her son they will both be burned to death. Law number 210 says that if a man hits a pregnant woman, she loses her unborn child, and then she dies, "his daughter shall be put to death" (Johns 28). These laws tell us many things about the importance of a marriage contract and monogamy, the role children played in the marriage, matters of being a good husband or wife, desertion, death of a spouse, incest, adultery, and divorce. Anyone who committed crimes against these morals received severe punishment. Law number 157 shows some distinction in the severity of punishments of men and women. All parties involved needed to keep articulate records in order to prevent loss of money, loss of property, and even loss of life. Uncertain if such a form of justice would work in our society today, some people believe that if we did use this form of justice our world would be a much better place for everyone. Another event that suggests Babylonians strongly believed in gods and superstitions is the fact that the laws numbered from 1 to 282 do not contain a law numbered as 13. Taking a closer look at the 281 laws in Hammurabi's Code, we can get a more profound look at the ways of the Babylonians. The belief was that if the accused came back to the shore, carried by the current, they were innocent. The most popular laws of this code may very well be the laws that give us the terms, "an eye for an eye" and "a tooth for a tooth" (Johns 11). The Code of Hammurabi, devised because of the king's strong beliefs in good morals and ethics, brought together the people of his large empire. Law number 9 is a good example why the records should be maintained.
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