Code of Hammurabi

Definition

The Code of Hammurabi is one of the earliest and most complete written legal codes, created around 1754 BCE by King Hammurabi of Babylon. It consists of 282 laws that cover various aspects of daily life, justice, and social order, emphasizing the principles of retribution and the importance of a structured legal system in society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Code is inscribed on a stele and features a depiction of Hammurabi receiving laws from Shamash, the sun god and god of justice.
2. Laws within the Code address various issues such as trade, theft, property rights, and family matters, establishing clear penalties for violations.
3. The Code was designed to unify the diverse populations of Babylon under a common set of laws and promote fairness and justice.
4. It emphasizes social stratification by imposing different penalties based on social class; for example, the punishment for harming a nobleman was harsher than for harming a commoner.
5. The influence of the Code can be seen in many legal systems that followed, as it laid groundwork for later laws and legal principles in various cultures.

Review Questions

• How does the Code of Hammurabi illustrate the relationship between law and social hierarchy in ancient Babylon?
  • The Code of Hammurabi illustrates the relationship between law and social hierarchy by enforcing different penalties based on an individual's social class. The laws demonstrate that noblemen faced more severe consequences for offenses than commoners. This reflects a society where class distinctions were significant, and justice was not equally applied to all citizens.
• Discuss the impact of the Code of Hammurabi on modern legal systems and its lasting legacy in the context of law.
  • The Code of Hammurabi has had a profound impact on modern legal systems by introducing principles such as codification of laws and the concept of justice. Its emphasis on written laws as a means to govern society has influenced many legal frameworks throughout history. Moreover, ideas like 'an eye for an eye' have persisted in various forms in contemporary discussions about justice and punishment.
• Evaluate the significance of the Code of Hammurabi in understanding early forms of information dissemination and its role in shaping societal norms.
  • The significance of the Code of Hammurabi in understanding early forms of information dissemination lies in its methodical approach to documenting laws on a stele that was accessible to the public. By making legal codes visible and understandable, it played a crucial role in shaping societal norms and expectations regarding behavior. This visibility ensured that citizens were aware of their rights and responsibilities, reinforcing order and accountability within Babylonian society.

Related terms

Lex Talionis: A principle of justice that dictates 'an eye for an eye,' meaning that punishment should correspond in kind and degree to the offense.

Mesopotamia: An ancient region located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known as the cradle of civilization where early forms of writing, law, and urban development emerged.

Cuneiform: The writing system used in ancient Mesopotamia, characterized by wedge-shaped marks made on clay tablets, which was essential for recording laws and transactions.