Hammurabi's Code Dbq Essay
Imagine you lived in ancient Babylon and Hammurabi had just created his code. There would be 282 laws on a stone stele in the center of the city. Together, these laws were called Hammurabi’s code. Hammurabi ruled for a total of 42 years. But unfortunately, Hammurabi’s code was unjust because of it’s family and property laws. Hammurabi’s code was unjust because of it’s family laws. For example, law 168(doc c) gives the judge control over a man’s property. The man should be allowed to remove his son from his will because it’s his property. Maybe the son is lazy and never does anything. The judge should not decide what happens to property that isn’t his. Also, in law 195(doc c) the son is getting his hands cut off for striking his father.
Although he shouldn’t strike his father, without his hands, he won’t be able to work, therefore he is no longer any good to his father or society as a whole. Also, Hammurabi said these laws were given to him by Shamash, (doc a) but some of these laws had been used up to 300 years prior. He lied to them. These laws are unjust and don’t benefit anyone. Hammurabi’s code was unjust because of it’s property laws. For example, law 48(doc d) makes it so that if you borrow money to plant a crop and the crop gets washed away, you don’t have to pay your creditor back the money you owe. This is unfair to the creditor because if you loan someone money, they should pay back the money they owe you. Also, this law makes the borrower seem irresponsible and untrustworthy, because the creditor didn’t get his money back. It is their responsibility to pay their creditor back. This law is unjust and could hurt the economy. All of the evidence you just read is clear proof that Hammurabi’s code was unjust in regards to it’s family and property laws. His laws were not fair to the victim, the accused, or society. You should be glad Hammurabi’s code is not still in use today.
Although he shouldn’t strike his father, without his hands, he won’t be able to work, therefore he is no longer any good to his father or society as a whole. Also, Hammurabi said these laws were given to him by Shamash, (doc a) but some of these laws had been used up to 300 years prior. He lied to them. These laws are unjust and don’t benefit anyone. Hammurabi’s code was unjust because of it’s property laws. For example, law 48(doc d) makes it so that if you borrow money to plant a crop and the crop gets washed away, you don’t have to pay your creditor back the money you owe. This is unfair to the creditor because if you loan someone money, they should pay back the money they owe you. Also, this law makes the borrower seem irresponsible and untrustworthy, because the creditor didn’t get his money back. It is their responsibility to pay their creditor back. This law is unjust and could hurt the economy. All of the evidence you just read is clear proof that Hammurabi’s code was unjust in regards to it’s family and property laws. His laws were not fair to the victim, the accused, or society. You should be glad Hammurabi’s code is not still in use today.