The Code of Hammurabi refers to a set of laws enacted by the…
The Code of Hammurabi refers to a set of laws enacted by the Babylonian King Hammurabi. It is the longest, best-organized, and best-preserved legal text from the ancient Near East. There are as many as 300 laws that discuss a wide range of subjects, including homicide, assault, divorce, debt, adoption, tradesman’s fees, agricultural practices, and even disputes regarding the brewing of beer. Under Hammurabi’s reign, there were three social classes: upper, middle, and slaves, and the code punished the guilty party based on their class. Some laws were very harsh and the penalties severe: If a son should strike his father, his hands shall be cut off. If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out. If any man should strike a man of higher rank, he shall receive sixty blows with an ox-whip. If a builder builds a house for someone and that house collapses killing them, then the builder shall be put to death. If any one steal cattle or sheep, if it belonged to the court, the thief shall pay thirty fold; if they belonged to a freed man, he shall pay tenfold; if the thief has nothing with which to pay he shall be put to death. Women entered into marriage through a contract arranged by her family. She came with a dowry, and the gifts given by the groom to the bride also came with her. Divorce was up to the husband, but after divorce he had to restore the dowry and provide his wife with an income, and any children came under the woman’s custody. However, if the woman was considered a “bad wife” she might be sent away, or made a slave in the husband’s house. If a wife brought action against her husband for cruelty and neglect, she could have a legal separation if the case was proved. Otherwise, she might be drowned as punishment. Adultery was punished with drowning of both parties, unless a husband was willing to pardon his wife. QUESTIONS: 1. What does Hammurabi’s Code teach us about class divisions and gender roles in Babylonian society? 2. What was the goal of Hammurabi’s laws? Do we have laws today with the same goals? Give some examples. Your answer must be in your own words and supported by specific evidence from the reading. Your answer must be a minimum of 75 words.
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