...Preface: Hammurabi was a Babylonian king who ruled from 1792 to 1750 B.C. His attributes were he extended his empire northward from the Persian Gulf to the Tigris and Euphrates River and west to the Mediterranean Sea. He united the area into one extensive empire, Mesopotamia, which in present day is known as Iraq. (Ancient Mesopotamia) Hammurabi created a list of rules and laws for the people of his empire to follow called “The Code of Hammurabi”. This is one of the oldest and most detailed documents in existence and gives insight as to how the members of Babylonian society lived. The code listed 282 rules for society to obey by and the consequences or guidelines for each member given their social status and their gender. There were rules of every category. From marriage and adultery, criminal acts such a stealing, property, and monetary trading. What’s interesting about this rulebook is the detail and coverage of the book. While in today’s world we may not follow rules such as “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” like the Code of Hammurabi, whose punishments for a crime were much more extravagant and gruesome at times. There was segregation in gender and social status. The topics addressed in the code are some of the same topics addressed that we, today, value and instill. In today’s government we have laws of crime and punishment, monetary laws, and laws regarding marriage. We have these laws so we can have structure and a successful government and society. It’s...
Words: 2731 - Pages: 11
...Code of Hammurabi The code of Hammurabi was written by King Hammurabi, the sixth king of the first babylonian dynasty.Hammurabi ruled the Babylonian Empire from 1792 BC. to 1750 BC. Hammurabi came to power by using his advanced military and political tactics to unite many smaller city states to unite his mighty empire. Not long after his reign began, Hammurabi created the code of hammurabi. Written on large clay tablets, the code of Hammurabi consisted of 262 rules/laws covering a variety of subjects including adultery,family law and property law. Hammurabi created these laws following a philosophy of the punishment must fit the crime. In essence, the magnitude of a crime must fit the magnitude of the punishment. Furthermore, the code of Hammurabi played a detrimental role in the development of the babylonian empire. Many speculations can be made from reading these rather harsh, laws about the babylonian empire. Law’s played an important role in the development of Hammurabi’s empire....
Words: 1204 - Pages: 5
...Code of Hammurabi Western Civilization and the World I 100 Professor Preface This paper will examine the Code of Hammurabi and how it affected the people of Babylon before, during and after its creation. The nature of the topic is to have a better understanding of how the Code of Hammurabi changed society, hindered women’s rights and independence and left a lasting impression for future generations. Chronology 1810 BC Hammurabi was born to the then-king of Babylon Sin-muballit. 1792 BC Hammurabi, king of Babylon, started his rule. 1787 BC King Hammurabi captured Uruk and Isin. 1784 BC King Hammurabi campaigned against Rapigum and Malgium. 1772 BC Code of Hammurabi was created. 1763 BC With the aid of Mari and Eshnunna King Hammurabi conquered Larsa, putting an end to the long reign of Rim-Sin I. 1755 BC Captured Eshnunna which was the last of his Mesopotamian rivals. 1750 BC King Hammurabi died and passed the reigns of the empire to his son, Samsu-iluna. 1738 BC Under Samsu-iluna’s rule his empire fell to the Sealand Dynasty. 1595 BC Babylonian empire restored to glory of the Hammurabi’s age. 1901 Code of Hammurabi monument is discovered by French archaeologists. 1910 The Code of Hammurabi was translated by Leonard William King. During the rule of King Hammurabi he wrote the Code of Hammurabi. This consisted of many laws that changed the society, hindered women’s rights and independence and left a lasting impression for future generations...
Words: 2447 - Pages: 10
...Hammurabi’s Law Hammurabi laws deal with all aspects of everyday life, and it describes both major and minor offenses and their punishments. It is one of the first written codes of law in history, and it is the longest code that has been discovered. The laws were made to equalize society, establish justice and fairness, bring about the rule of righteousness, and protect the weak from the strong. However, the rich and poor, men and women, and elites and commoners were treated differently under the law. This deepened the social hierarchy and distinctions between classes and genders, which soon became normal and accepted in society. L. W. King states that “Hammurabi laws also influenced the need for one, powerful leader. It used the political power to generate bonds between the people of different races and backgrounds. The Code of Hammurabi was developed by the Babylonian ruler, Hammburabi. He ruled Babylon, which he expanded to cover most of Mesopotamia, from 1792-1750 BCE. Laws, judgments, and decrees were incorporated into the 282 laws that make up the code. The code was given to Hammurabi by the sun God, Shamash. The Babylonian God, Marduk, facilitated Hammurabi's rule. He gave Hammurabi the authority to rule Babylon. Also, the code gave people moral standards, created distinct social classes, and worked to create equality. It was supposed to "protect the weak from the strong", but it in turn favored the rich and was harsher on the poor. After the fall of Babylon, Hammurabi left a...
Words: 1874 - Pages: 8
...a legal court system that gives that women right to child support. In today’s world we have what’s called a due process that is provide and individual, company a state justice. Whenever there has been some wrong doing our country now has a system to reclaim justice to the victim. This system of justice originated from a Babylonian King. King Hammurabi’s code would lay the foundation of justice for the people for generation to come after him. Before the greatness of Babylon in early Mesopatamia there was the III dynasty of Ur. The founder and king of the Ur dynasty Ur-Nammu ruled from 2113 - 2096 BC. “King Ur- Nammau was very involved in the rebuilding of his dynasty in agriculture and re- establishing civil order and security. King Ur-nammu would be succeeded by his son Shugli that ruled from 2096 -2048 BC. King Shulgi was very skilled in hunting and was an expert in military tactics” (Woolley 53). King Shugli would then have two sons to succeed him and take the crown unfortunately they had a very difficult maintaining the dynasty and as the legal and administration began to fall apart so did the dynasty and it would be reduced to a small city state. With the inevitable destruction of the Ur dynasty came the second phase of the Mesopatamia. Babylon would go through five kings spanning over a hundred years Hammurabi would get his shot at the throne. “During his rise to power Sin-muballit father of Hammurabi would finish off the last of the Ur...
Words: 2146 - Pages: 9
...Hammurabi’s code Hammurabi’s code hurts innocent people instead of protecting them from harm. Hammurabi is the king of Babylonia and ruled Babylonia for 42 years. Hammurabi has also constructed 282 laws for his subjects of Babylonia and wrote them on Steele's and called them Hammurabi’s code. Hammurabi made these laws to protect his subjects mostly women and children that were weak and could not defend for themselves but that is not the case. Hammurabi's code does not help the innocent at all this code just hurts the innocent so leading to conclusion, Hammurabi’s code is not just.As wee look into the family laws and Property laws it can be proven that Hammurabi’s code wasn’t just Hammurabi’s code is unjust and can be found in the family...
Words: 604 - Pages: 3
...The Code of Hammurabi provides evidence that women had few rights and were seen as inferior to men. Women had the right to divorce therefore protecting them in that way; even if they left their husband, they wouldn’t be left with nothing. The law clearly states that a portion of the field, garden, and property shall be given to her. 1 The man controlled the finances in the family but there also had to be certain funds set aside for the women and their children. They were also able to buy and sell property giving them somewhat of an equal right as men. They could be property owners if the man bought a property and assigned a field, garden, or house to his wife or children.2 Another law that attempted to defend women, specifically pregnant women, stated that if a man were to strike at a pregnant woman and she had a miscarriage, he were to pay her ten shekels, and if the woman died, his daughter were to be killed.3 The punishment the man got for killing the woman's unborn child...
Words: 700 - Pages: 3
...1: Why is the Hammurabi Code considered to be so important? The Law Stele of Hammurabi or the Hammurabi code is perhaps one of the oldest, most comprehensive and influential codification of laws ever created in ancient times. The intricately chiselled basalt pillar (or Stele) upon which the codes are written is considered an historical work of art, history and literature which is now housed in the Louvre in Paris, France (André-Salvini, 2003). It towers over 7.5 feet tall and the text is chiselled into solid stone. King Hammurabi (c. 1792 – 1750 B.C.E.) commissioned its construction to create a sovereign authority of universal laws throughout the Babylonian empire and as a demonstration of his duty to the gods and the citizens (Roth, 1995). It is a collaboration of pre-existing laws gathered from around the Babylonian Empire. The Hammurabi code served as not only an educational tool to “enlighten the land [but also created legal precedent] to further the well-being of mankind” (Hammurabi, 1752 B.C.E). The sheer height and shape of the structure alone is a testament to his...
Words: 1493 - Pages: 6
...who attempting the task. To conquer and control the new empire come up with its own problems. In order to reach a perfect society , Ruler must aware that the key to the success is the code of conduct or the law to govern his or her society. Justice is essential to regulate peaceful and tranquil society. To solve this issue , most rulers from the past enacted laws with brutally consequences for the culprit. The Code of Hammurabi was written by Hammurabi , the Ruler of Babylonian Empire (1795-1750 BCE), which was a code of conduct for citizen of this empire to follow. It was carved on a large stone and clearly shown the cause and the consequences of an action led by a person. He was intend to bring the virtuous in to his land and eliminate all the iniquitous people from the land. The Writings of Master Han Fei was a writing of Master Han Fei , a Chinese Philosopher (280-233 BCE), that express his idea of Legalist thinking. Which later guided the customary of Qin Dynasty’s Shihuangdi. The basic principle is based on the equality of the people. “High and low would have no distinction”, The right is to bestow rewards and the wrong is subject to be condemn. Both sources have the similar thought of bringing an empire to a righteous state by enact a harsh law. In the Code of Hammurabi , Laws are clearly stated with causes and consequences. The consequences of an action are harsh and brutal. In my opinion, i think this is the strategy to scare the evil doers. In the Writings...
Words: 492 - Pages: 2
...Hammurabi was a Babylonian king who reigned from 1792 to 1750 B.C. Hammurabi is known as the sixth and best known ruler of the first Babylonian dynasty. He ruled central Mesopotamia at first. Although he is mostly famous for his set of written laws, he has also made great advancements. In the 30th year of his reign, Hammurabi began expanded his kingdom up and down the Tigris and Euphrates river valley, taking over the kingdoms of Assyria, Larsa, Eshunna and Mari which eventually took over all Mesopotamia. He made great advancements for the better of his kingdom by combining military and politics with irrigation projects, fortifications, and construction of temples. The size location and military strength of his land to rule made it one of...
Words: 488 - Pages: 2
...Did you know Hammurabi ruled about 42 year’s ?, Hammurabi was a great ruler and wrote 282 law’s carved on a large stone but some of Hammurabi’s Laws are just not. Hammurabi’s code therathed the family. For examples, in Document C Law 148 if a man wife is weak the man shall marry another women and take care his weak wife. Also in law 129 if a wife is caught cheating with another man they both get throwend in the water bindfloed and tied up This show’s how Hammarbi’s Laws never help the family. Based on what i learned about Hammurabi’s Laws i think this laws are sad because why do they have to drown the women and the men can’t they just give them a differnt punisment also why do they have to marry another women and let the other die can’t...
Words: 358 - Pages: 2
...The world’s oldest and most structured set of laws, was created to protect all of the people; however, the Hammurabi Code set unfair standards amongst the different classes. Slaves were treated different that freemen, men were treated different than women, and children were treated different than adults. This code was extremely harsh and unfair. One of the unfair standards was between the freemen and slaves. Under the Hammurabi Code slaves were considered property of their masters. The had little to no rights because they weren’t even considered people. An example of this unfair treatment is that if a doctor was doing surgery on a free man and he died during the procedure, then the doctor’s hands would be cut off, but if a doctor was doing surgery on a slave and the slave died, then the only thing the doctor would have to do was replace the slave. Obviously, cutting off the doctor’s hands is extremely harsh, but the differences between the punishments to the doctor is extremely unfair. Another act that was not equal in fairness was if a man, free or slave, injured a freeman then that same injury would be put upon him. But if a man, free or slave, injured a slave then he would just have to pay half of what the part cost that he injured....
Words: 539 - Pages: 3
...The Ancient Mesopotamian Law Hammurabi was an Amorite who lived and reigned from 1792 BC to 1750 BC. He is remembered in history as the 6th king of the Mesopotamian Society. He is known as a great leader who conquered and brought many different kingdoms under the protection and governance of the one great umbrella of Babylon. As a ruler of a large society, Hammurabi recognized the need for organized law and knew that in order to govern effectively he had to establish his authority as a fair and impartial ruler. It is generally accepted that Hammurabi’s Code was developed around 1780 BC, during his 44 year rule as king. The Amorites believed that kings were appointed by the gods to administer the law and protect the kingdom. Hammurabi’s Code was a set of 282 laws which established rules for bringing accusations against another and the corresponding punishments to fit the crimes committed, through an “eye for an eye” mentality. The development of Hammurabi’s Code gave structure and order to the kingdom by addressing each of the three social classes; the poor (mushkenu: a free person who was essentially lower or middle class), the rich (awilu: a free person of the upper class), and the slaves (wardu). The code also shows consideration for the protection of women and children and for the weak and the poor (that they might not be destroyed by the strong or the rich and powerful). The code also addressed unpaid debt, allowable reasons for a man or a woman to divorce...
Words: 652 - Pages: 3
...The Law Code of Hammurabi is a set of 282 laws. The codes express laws that tell what punishment or repayment the offender owes for his misdeed. The laws give out different punishment for the same problem depending on what class you are from. The punishments and repayments given out between the classes are extremely unequal, where the higher the class you are the less punishment you have to deal with. The laws are given differently depending on your group. Whenever there is a law explaining what has happened and what has to be done in return it usually is broken into three sections. The three sections are what does the free-born men and women have to do, what does the freed men and women have to do, and what does the slaves have to do. Within these laws the freeborn are treated better, or have more value than the freed, and then the freed are treated better than the slaves. There are even laws that say if you do something wrong to someone of a higher class then your punishment is going to be worse, which shows a major sign of inequality. The group that is treated with the most inequality is the slaves. Since the slaves cannot read they are already in a bad position. Most of the laws that are created in this set are directed towards the slaves. These laws make it where once you are a slave, you are always going to be a slave; even their children are born into this system. Slaves are also put at the lowest value compared to any other class. For example, laws 230 and 231 state...
Words: 684 - Pages: 3
...The Code of Hammurabi is thought to be a set of laws and statue’s put in place to bring about equality in ancient Mesopotamian times (5000-1000 BCE). An eye for an eye was the basic principal of the law and or law’s. Yet there were social classes that were deemed to be more upper class than others. During Mesopotamian times the women did not have rights as an individual, but as an attachment to their male counterparts, such as their fathers or their husbands, these rights were limited if not null and void. However majority of these rights along with the laws favored the aristocrat class a great deal. It also appears that adultery was one of the crimes that was greatly shunned upon by Babylonians and in most cases warranted a conviction of death. In the event of a law being broken, such as being a bad husband, women were given the right to obtain a divorce. At that point, the woman was to return to her father’s home until she remarried. In terms of men, it seem as if many of the laws were biased and leaning in their favor. In one of the statues, men were permitted to sleep with other women as so long as she has his name. As for women, it is not the same. With that being said, women were not equal to men, and instead not considered as an individual human being, but as a product under the name attached to her. References Horne, C., Johns, C., King, L. (n.d.). Ancient History Sourcebook: Code of Hammurabi, c. 1780 BCE [Online]. Fordham University. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/hamcode...
Words: 309 - Pages: 2