O Code of Hammurabi is a set of laws that were created around 1780 BC. Ç. in Mesopotamia.
It receives this name since it is associated with the sixth Sumerian king, founder of the First Babylonian Empire, Hammurabi.
History
In one of the columns where part of the Code is written, Hammurabi receives the Code from the hands of the god Samas, the god Sun and Justice
Who was Hammurabi?
Hammurabi was born around 1810 BC. Ç. and died in 1750 BC. Ç. He was the sixth ruler of the dynasty of Babylonian kings. His reign lasted more than 40 years and, despite his military achievements, he is remembered for his interpretation of justice aimed at organizing the people.
Likewise, he tried to institute the worship of a single god as a way to unify the different religions of his subjects. He was not successful, but at least he established that the Sun god, Shamash (or Samas) should be adored by everyone.
Before the Code of Hammurabi, other codes already existed in Mesopotamia, such as the Code of UR-Nammu, which emphasized pecuniary compensation for crimes committed and not the law of talion.
Law of Talion
The law of talion can be summarized in the famous verse found in the Book of Leviticus "an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth”. This means that every crime committed would have a proportional punishment.
Although it is considered in the 21st century as a primitive or exaggerated law, what is certain is that this law can be considered an advance within its historical context.
Before it, the victim could take his revenge personally and in any way he saw fit. With the law of talion, the penalty should be appropriate to the crime and carried out by a specific institution.
Features
In the Code of Hammurabi, the laws were not equitable, as the application varied whether the individual was free, slave or servant, male or female.
In order to implement justice, the legal code was also used in Greece and Ancient Rome. Until today they serve as inspiration for the elaboration of citizens' rights, duties and obligations.
In the epilogue of the work, we can check the words of the king:
“So that the strong may not harm the weaker, in order to protect the widows and the fatherless, I raised Babylon...to speak of justice to all the land, to settle all disputes and heal all wounds, I have elaborated these words precious..."
Laws of the Code of Hammurabi: Summary
The Code of Hammurabi was carved from a large diorite rock 2.25 meters high, 1.60 meters in circumference at the top and 1.90 meters at the base.
It was formed by 282 ancient Babylonian laws arranged in 46 columns with about 3600 lines in Akkadian cuneiform script.
It was found by French archaeologists in the beginning of the 20th century, in the city of Susa, Iran, and translated into several languages.
The original is currently in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Detail of the Code of Hammurabi
The text deals with various subjects such as: social classes, commerce, property, family, work, theft, the law of talion (an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth), rape, the death penalty, etc.
Check out the themes of the articles below:
I - Spells, judgment of God, false testimony, prevarication of judges;
II - Crimes of theft and robbery, claiming furniture;
III - Rights and duties of officers, gregarious and vassals in general, organization of the benefit;
IV - Leases and general regime of rustic funds, mutual, rental of houses, payment in kind;
V - Relations between traders and commission agents;
VI - Regulation of taverns (deputy taverns, police, penalties and fees);
VII - Obligations (transport contracts, loan) executive process and debt bondage;
VIII - Deposit contracts;
IX - Injury and defamation;
X - Marriage and family, offenses against the order of the family, nuptial contributions and donations, succession;
XI - Adoption, offenses to parents, child replacement;
XII - Offenses and penalties (bodily injuries, talion, indemnity and composition);
XIII - Doctors and veterinarians; architects and boatmen (salaries, fees and liability) ship crashes;
XIV - Kidnapping, animal leases, field farmers, shepherds, workers. Damage, theft of harnesses, water, slaves (redeeming action, responsibility for eviction, discipline).
look here Code of Hammurabi complete in pdf.
Curiosities
- The code of Hammurabi is one of the oldest legal documents relating to human rights.
- There is no documentary evidence that the code was applied, but it was certainly copied and studied by later generations.
- Among the strangest laws we find in the code the one that dictated the brewer to drown in his own drink, if it was bad.
Read more:
- Babylonian Empire
- Sumerians
- Mesopotamian Civilizations
- Ancient Rome
- Peoples of Mesopotamia
- Questions about Mesospotamia
