Similarities Between India And The Code Of Hammurabi

Both the Code of Hammurabi and the Code of Manu offer ideas and perspectives on the roles and positions of women in their respective societies, ancient Mesopotamia and India. Although both codes reflect patriarchal structures with congruent ideas, they present distinct nuances in how women were treated. The Code of Hammurabi, established around 1754 BCE in ancient Mesopotamia, is one of the earliest known legal codes. Its rules are still known today, with some still referenced, like the famous principle “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” During Mesopotamian society, as depicted in the Code of Hammurabi, women had limited property rights and were subject to the authority and rules of their husbands. But they were more protected than men.
For example, the property rights of a married woman were generally controlled by her husband (Code of Hammurabi, 38-41). Additionally, the code prescribed unequal punishments for crimes committed by men and women, suggesting a gender-based legal system. Someone familiar with the famous part of the code, as mentioned earlier, might think it promotes equality, as in what you did to me, I have the right to do to you, and vice versa. However, when it comes to women's rights, for instance, a woman who falsely accused her husband of adultery would be punished by being thrown into the river, whereas a man committing the same offense would not receive as harsh a penalty (Code of Hammurabi, 131-132). The Code of Manu, originating in Vedic India, presents a more limited and restrictive view of women's roles. In this code, women are depicted as intrinsically dependent on and connected to men, with an emphasis on their domestic duties. The code dictates that women be “kept in dependence by men” and “guarded against evil inclinations” (Code of Manu, Chapter IX, 2). Women were primarily responsible for domestic tasks, child-rearing, and religious