Hammurapi's Code

Babylonian Law

May 12, 2009 Jessica Sprunt

Hammurapi (1792-1750 BC), king of Babylon, governed his empire effectively and fairly for over forty years.

It was Hammurapi's duty to make justice prevail in the land, to abolish the wicked and to prevent the strong from oppressing the weak. In order to accomplish this task he created a list of laws that dealt with almost every possible situation in society, including criminal and civil matters.

The Code

The laws were transcribed on a variety of mediums, including a well preserved stele currently on display at the Louvre. Hammurapi’s code is the greatest single source of information about Babylonian society. The material inscribed on the stele was compiled from a number of sources. They include examples of customary law, royal legal edicts, past court cases, extrapolations from earlier legal decisions and amendments to former laws. The code can be split into approximately 282 laws, but this division is subjective as the original code had no divisional markers.

Example of Laws

During the 18th century BC the Babylonian community was comprised of three classes. The lowest rank was Wardum, or “slave”. The middle, commoner class was referred to as Mushkenum and landowners or those of noble decent were called Awelum. Injuries to members of the upper class were punished by direct retribution (an eye for an eye) to guarantee the punishment fit the crime. However, crimes committed against those of lesser status were punished only by fines. For example, “if a Mushkenum has struck the cheek of a Mushkenum, he shall pay ten shekels of silver. Conversly, “if a builder has constructed a house for an Awelum but has not made his work strong, with the result that the house that he built collapsed and caused the death of the house’s owner, that builder shall be put to death. If he caused the death of the owner’s son, they shall put to death the builder’s son.

Ancient Purpose/ Present Relevance

Hammurapi created his code with two intensions in mind. Firstly, it was used to inform citizens of their rights. Secondly, the laws became physical proof that the king was fulfilling his obligations and responsibilities which was a vital demonstration for most ancient rulers. The importance of the code, with respect to modern times, is its early resemblance to our contemporary constitution. These Babylonian laws are a primitive example of a written statement outlining the basic laws or principles by which a country is governed.

In addition, the sixth ruler of Babylon's first dynasty is Hammurapi and not the less accurate, but more well know spelling Hammurabi.

Source:

Stiebing, William H. Ancient Near Eastern History and Culture. (New York: Longman) 2003.

The copyright of the article Hammurapi's Code in Middle Eastern History is owned by Jessica Sprunt. Permission to republish Hammurapi's Code in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Basalt stele inscribed with Hammurapi’s Code