Code Of Hammurabi Compare And Contrast
The Laws of Manu and Hammurabi’s code are both a set of laws and codes that seem to guide people from different classes on what their role in society is. Both set of laws/codes are very straightforward they tell each group of people what they are expected to do and what punishment they will receive if they disobey the law. Both set of laws seem to focus on the same thing women's rights, marriage, and laws in general. The Laws of Manu were harsh but they were specified for certain people whereas the Code of Hammurabi was a set of laws for everyone no matter what caste they were in. Although both set of laws were tough, I believe The Code of Hammurabi was way harsher than the Laws of Manu. Both set of laws were written by two different groups
of people, but still have some similar aspects. They were both harshly written, but I believe they were written that way for a reason they had to maintain order in their civilizations and this was probably the only way to do it. Women were also viewed more as property than people and have little to no rights. In The Law of Manu they state “A woman must never be independent” (Bedford, 64) They explain how a woman must obey her father at childhood and marry a man her father finds for her and obey him for however long he lives. Hammurabi had laws for women that were punishments if they embarrassed or disobeyed their husbands. “If she was not careful, but was a gadabout, thus neglecting her house. (and) humiliating her husband, they shall throw that woman into the water.” Although both had a few laws on men's role in marriage there seemed to be twice as much for women. These set of laws also had many differences between them. The Code of Hammurabi was more if you do this wrong then you get this punishment. It was described as “an eye for an eye.” The codes were very straightforward and had no further explanation to them. The Codes were also written for everyone being in a higher class did not exclude you from following the laws. They even had punishments for doctors who would perform badly on patients. “If a Physician performed an operation on a commoners slave with a bronze lancet and caused his death, he shall make good slave for slave. On the other hand the Laws of Manu were very detailed and explained thoroughly which laws applied to what people. The Laws were more than likely written by one person and later edited by others. While reading the laws you do notice how the lower classes had harsher laws and less rights. It almost seems like they were written by a higher class and they look down on lower classes. The higher caste you were in the more privileges you get. The laws were also written so specific that it's almost like an instruction manual on how to live your life step by step in order to get eternal life. The laws were set up to make people follow them so in their next life they would go up in the caste system and make their way up to be Brahmin.
In conclusion, Although both set of laws are harsh and extreme I believe they were written to maintain order in their civilizations. The Laws of Manu were written to have people strive for eternal life and moving up in caste systems by obeying every set of laws as they were written. Hammurabi's codes had way harsher punishments but they were straightforward and applied to everyone equally. There was no special treatment and no one was excluded from disobeying the law. Hammurabi’s civilization was based a lot around karma and getting what you deserve. Between the Laws of Manu and The Code of Hammurabi, Hammurabi's codes are more direct, but work to keep order in society.
of people, but still have some similar aspects. They were both harshly written, but I believe they were written that way for a reason they had to maintain order in their civilizations and this was probably the only way to do it. Women were also viewed more as property than people and have little to no rights. In The Law of Manu they state “A woman must never be independent” (Bedford, 64) They explain how a woman must obey her father at childhood and marry a man her father finds for her and obey him for however long he lives. Hammurabi had laws for women that were punishments if they embarrassed or disobeyed their husbands. “If she was not careful, but was a gadabout, thus neglecting her house. (and) humiliating her husband, they shall throw that woman into the water.” Although both had a few laws on men's role in marriage there seemed to be twice as much for women. These set of laws also had many differences between them. The Code of Hammurabi was more if you do this wrong then you get this punishment. It was described as “an eye for an eye.” The codes were very straightforward and had no further explanation to them. The Codes were also written for everyone being in a higher class did not exclude you from following the laws. They even had punishments for doctors who would perform badly on patients. “If a Physician performed an operation on a commoners slave with a bronze lancet and caused his death, he shall make good slave for slave. On the other hand the Laws of Manu were very detailed and explained thoroughly which laws applied to what people. The Laws were more than likely written by one person and later edited by others. While reading the laws you do notice how the lower classes had harsher laws and less rights. It almost seems like they were written by a higher class and they look down on lower classes. The higher caste you were in the more privileges you get. The laws were also written so specific that it's almost like an instruction manual on how to live your life step by step in order to get eternal life. The laws were set up to make people follow them so in their next life they would go up in the caste system and make their way up to be Brahmin.
In conclusion, Although both set of laws are harsh and extreme I believe they were written to maintain order in their civilizations. The Laws of Manu were written to have people strive for eternal life and moving up in caste systems by obeying every set of laws as they were written. Hammurabi's codes had way harsher punishments but they were straightforward and applied to everyone equally. There was no special treatment and no one was excluded from disobeying the law. Hammurabi’s civilization was based a lot around karma and getting what you deserve. Between the Laws of Manu and The Code of Hammurabi, Hammurabi's codes are more direct, but work to keep order in society.