The Code of Hammurabi

The Code of Hammurabi is a collection of laws that governed all aspects of Babylonian life, from criminal law to property law. It is one of the oldest and most complete surviving codes of law from the ancient world. The Code of Hammurabi was written on a 2.25-meter-tall (7.4 ft) black stone stele, which was found in the ruins of the ancient city of Susa in 1901. The stele is now on display in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The Code of Hammurabi is divided into 282 laws, which are written in the form of “If…then” statements. For example, one law states:

If a man puts out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.

The Code of Hammurabi is a reflection of the values of the Babylonian people. It emphasizes the importance of justice and fairness, and it also reflects the patriarchal nature of Babylonian society.

The Code of Hammurabi was not the first written legal code, but it is one of the most famous. It has been influential on later legal codes, including the Code of Justinian, which was issued by the Roman emperor Justinian I in the 6th century AD.

Here are some of the key features of the Code of Hammurabi:

• It is a comprehensive code of law that covers all aspects of Babylonian life.
• It is written in the form of “If…then” statements.
• It emphasizes the importance of justice and fairness.
• It reflects the patriarchal nature of Babylonian society.
• It has been influential on later legal codes.

The Code of Hammurabi is a fascinating and important document that provides a glimpse into the legal system of ancient Babylonia. It is a reminder of the long history of law and justice, and it is a testament to the power of law to shape society.

The code was written in the normal cunescript: or language of the day

Here is a translation as translated:

Law 20: A thief caught in the act shall be beaten with a rod.

Law 21: Anyone who causes injury with a deadly weapon shall be held accountable for the damage done.

Law 22: If a person is killed by falling masonry, the owner of the building shall be responsible for the crime, and he must hand over the culprit to the victim’s family.

Law 23: If a person is killed by falling masonry and the owner of the building does not hand over the culprit, the owner and his property shall be accursed.

Law 24: It shall be lawful to bury the dead on one’s own property or the public land outside the city.

Law 25: A person who has been sentenced to death shall be taken to the sacred grove, and there he shall be hanged.

Law 26: The body of a person who has been executed shall not be buried within the city.

Law 27: No one shall hold meetings at night in the city.

Law 28: Anyone who disturbs the peace shall be beaten with a rod.

Law 29: A person who has been publicly accused of a crime shall appoint a judge within ten days.

Law 30: The penalty for a patrician who does not appear in court after being summoned shall be 300 asses, while for a plebeian, it shall be 150 asses.

Law 31: The penalty for insulting or assaulting a judge shall be 30 blows with a rod.

Law 32: It shall be lawful for a creditor to take the debtor into custody for sixty days.

Law 33: If a debtor has contracted several loans, he shall first satisfy the one on which the earliest date is due.

Law 34: A debtor who pays off his debt may reclaim his property that was taken as security for the debt.

Law 35: If a debtor is insolvent and has no property to pledge, he shall be held in custody by the creditor.

Law 36: A person who has pledged his person for a debt shall be held in custody for sixty days.

Law 37: A person who has been arrested shall be taken to court the next market day.

Law 38: A witness who fails to appear in court shall be fined 300 asses.

Law 39: A person who gives false witness in court shall be hurled from the Tarpeian Rock.

Law 40: A person who has killed a thief caught in the act shall not be subject to prosecution.

Law 41: A person who steals crops or fruits from a field shall be held liable for the loss.

Law 42: A person who kills another while hunting on his land shall not be held liable.

Law 43: A guardian shall not use the property of his ward for his own advantage.

Law 44: If a guardian is negligent and causes the loss of his ward’s property, he shall be held accountable.

Law 45: If a patron is in debt, he shall not accept a gift from his client.

Law 46: A person who seduces a freeborn virgin shall pay her father 25 silver denarii.

Law 47: If a person slaps another, he shall pay 25 silver denarii.

Law 48: A person who commits a public nuisance shall pay 25 silver denarii.

Law 49: If a person openly boasts of having committed a crime, he shall pay 100 silver denarii.

Law 50: The penalty for disturbing a wedding procession shall be 25 silver denarii