Lauren Soule
Pd:1
10/31/22
Hammurabi’s Code: Was it Just? Just about 4000 years ago in 1750 B.C, Hammurabi became the ruler of Babylon, the capital city-state of the Kingdom of Babylonia. Under the guidance of the god Shamash, Hammurabi created 282 laws to protect the people. His rules are just in the name of the gods and society. They are of complete fairness and help protect the security and welfare of the people. These laws concerning property, personal injury, and family would soon shape the way of the Mesopotamian culture. Hammurabi's code concerning family law for example was highly proficient. It brought order and civilian rights regarding family affairs. For instance in Law 195, (Doc C), if a son is to hit his father he shall have his hands cut off. Also in Law
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These laws were helpful in creating a safe and robust economy which made sense as Hammurabi is known as one if not the most powerful ruler of the Mesopotamian area. Law 21 for example (Doc D) states if a man robs someone's home by breaking through it he should be hung in the hole he made. This may seem cruel or intemperate, but it prevents future thievery among others. A more relatable law is Law 48 (Doc D) stating if a man gets loaned money to farm, and rain flooded the field or specifically harmed crops he does not have to repay the loan borrowed. This is general fairness as it is even reflected today when natural disaster strikes and we are insured of our loss if maintaining the requirements. This further proves the fairness of the law and property laws generally. Laws 53 and 54 (Doc D) even further direct this statement by stating if a man floods his neighbor's field he must compensate for the crops ruined by opened trenches and irrigation. Property rights defined Hammurabi's culture and proved to be successful. It was fair not only to society but caused the accuser to learn a lesson and the victim to recover from whatever