Cohort: USC
Question: Hammurabi’s Code: Was it just?
(Title) Have you ever wondered about Hammurabi’s Code? Hammurabi was the king of Babylonia. Hammurabi’s Code are a set of laws. The purpose of the code was to keep the citizens of Babylonia safe. Hammurabi’s code is just for two reasons: it protected the citizens of Babylonia, and it taught to not commit crimes.
Examples of just laws can first be found in the area of family law. Document C states “Law 148: If a man has married a wife and a disease has seized her, if he is determined to marry a second wife, he shall marry her. He shall not divorce the wife whom the disease has seized. She shall dwell in the house they have have built together, and he shall maintain her as long as she lives.” This means that the man may remarry, but he must support both wives. This matters because we know that in the past you were allowed to remarry, but you must support whoever you marry. Another example of just laws would be “Law 168: If a man has determined to disinherit his son and has declared before the judge, “I cut off my son,” the judge shall inquire the son’s past, and, if the son has not committed a grave misdemeanor…, the father shall not disinherit his son.” …show more content…
This quotation means that the father may not disinherit his son unless the son has committed a crime. This matters because Hammurabi didn’t allow people to disinherit their son unless he has committed a crime. In conclusion, this meant that Hammurabi cared about family. wish that supporting all wives applied to nowadays. -_-
Examples of just laws can first be found in the area of personal injury law.
Document E says “Law 209: If a man strikes the daughter of a free man and causes her to lose the fruit of her womb, he shall pay 10 shekels of silver…,” This quotation means that the man must pay for the life he has caused to be lost. This matters because in Mesopotamia, you had to pay if you caused the lost a life. Another quotation would be “Law 215: If a surgeon has operated with a bronze lancet on the body of a free man...and save the man’s life, he shall receive 10 shekels of silver.” This quotation means that a surgeon would be rewarded for the life he has saved. The quotation matters because we now know that in Mesopotamia, you were rewarded for saving a
life.
In conclusion, there are just laws in Hammurabi’s Code. These laws are just because they protected the people, and taught others to not commit crimes. This is important for people to know because they know about the oldest set of laws, and where some of ours had come from.