Code of Hammurabi

Definition

The Code of Hammurabi is one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world, consisting of a set of laws inscribed on a stone stele created during the reign of Babylonian King Hammurabi around 1754 BCE. This legal code established standards for commercial interactions and set fines and punishments to meet the requirements of justice, reflecting the king's role as a divine figure in maintaining order and righteousness within his kingdom.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Code consists of 282 laws that cover various aspects of society, including trade, family relations, and criminal justice.
2. It was inscribed on a stele made of diorite and displayed publicly for all to see, emphasizing transparency in law.
3. The laws often specify different punishments based on social class, showing a hierarchy in Babylonian society.
4. Hammurabi claimed that the code was divinely inspired, reinforcing his authority as a ruler chosen by the gods to bring order.
5. The Code has influenced many legal systems throughout history and remains a key reference point for the development of laws in various cultures.

Review Questions

• How does the Code of Hammurabi reflect the principles of divine kingship in ancient Babylon?
  • The Code of Hammurabi reflects the principles of divine kingship by asserting that Hammurabi received his authority from the gods. The code serves not only as a set of laws but also as a tool for Hammurabi to demonstrate his role as a protector and provider of justice for his people. By publicly displaying the laws, he reinforced his divine right to rule and maintained social order, positioning himself as a mediator between the divine and earthly realms.
• Discuss how the development of writing facilitated the recording and enforcement of laws like those found in the Code of Hammurabi.
  • The development of writing, particularly cuneiform, enabled the creation and preservation of complex legal codes such as the Code of Hammurabi. This written record allowed laws to be documented, standardized, and disseminated across Babylonian society, ensuring that citizens were aware of their rights and responsibilities. Writing also provided an official means to enforce laws, as they could be referred back to in disputes, thus contributing to consistency and stability in governance.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of the Code of Hammurabi on contemporary legal systems and its role in shaping notions of justice.
  • The Code of Hammurabi has had a lasting impact on contemporary legal systems by laying foundational principles that are still relevant today, such as proportionality in punishment and public accountability. Its concepts, particularly lex talionis or retributive justice, continue to influence modern legal frameworks. By establishing a written set of laws accessible to all, it contributed significantly to shaping notions of justice and fairness that resonate through history into our current legal practices.

Related terms

Divine Right: The doctrine that kings derive their authority from God, which was a significant aspect of kingship in many ancient cultures.

Cuneiform: One of the earliest systems of writing, developed by the Sumerians, that was used to inscribe laws like those in the Code of Hammurabi.

Lex Talionis: The principle of retributive justice, often summarized as 'an eye for an eye,' which was a foundational concept in the Code of Hammurabi.