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Why Was Hammurabi So Harsh

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Hammurabi's code was one of the first ever codes or laws to be put into place and have real consequences. Hammurabi's code was a set of complete written legal codes established in Mesopotamia. There were 282 laws by around 1754 BCE. These laws covered every topic in Mesopotamia and if there was something Hammurabi did not like he would make it a rule/law that you wouldn't be able to do that thing. Many people saw Hammurabi's code as a very strict and tough style of living, but Hammurbi did not care as he wanted to have a better and safer community. Hammurabi's saying “An eye for an eye” (History.com, 2009) was very true and he was going to stick to that style of ruling. Hammurabi explained that strict and harsh laws were in place to prevent people from doing bad things and essentially to strike fear into bad people. Hammurabi felt that there would be much less crime if his laws and consequences were very harsh and that made him feel like he could help and keep his community in a good spot. This was seen as the fairest way to dispense justice back then. …show more content…

Hammurabi felt no matter your financial status, the crime you commit defines your punishment or consequence. Maintaining social order is a big priority. Harsher laws helped the empire stay functioning. Although Hammurabi's laws feel very harsh, this was actually a step forward in society and pretty much set the foundation of the fact that if you do bad things you get punished and there are going to be rules and you have to meet those standards or else you will have to deal with these

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