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2007-03-16 16:54:54 · 9 answers · asked by kathy&joe b 2 in Arts & Humanities History

9 answers

The answer is not in quite the direction many think. Much that is commonly asserted about its HISTORICAL importance (that is, to people of the ancient world) is questionable or mistaken. But it is important to US for what it shows us of views and practice of justice in the ancient Near East.

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In popular thought the 18th century BC "Code of Hammurabi" (written in the Old Babylonian dialect of Akkadian, the Semitic language of ancient Mesopotamia) is regarded the oldest "law code".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_of_Hammurabi

But in fact it was one of several early "cuneiform law codes" and related forms. We know of at least four earlier works under Sumerian kings in Mesopotamia. [Note that the dates are disputed, but the relative order is not.]

2350 BC - the "Reforms" of Urukagina of Lagash (correcting abuses)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urukagina
http://ragz-international.com/reforms_of_urukagina.htm

2050 BC - Ur-Nammu (Shulgi) of Ur
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ur-Nammu

1900 BC - Lipit-Ishtar of Isin
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipit-Ishtar

1800 BC - Laws of Eshnunna [the city name]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eshnunna

There is some debate about how we should understand Urukagina's "reforms". They do not quite lay out a new "system", so some might give the honor to Ur-Nammu's "first known legal 'CODE'"

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Along the same lines, it is commonly thought that the principle called the "lex talionis" [='law of retaliation'], long known from the Hebrew Bible's "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth", originated with Hammurabi's "Code." The idea (often misunderstood as being about 'getting revenge') is that the punishment should be in proportion to the crime, not less (letting someone off the hook), and especially, not MORE (letting vengeance run wild), as so often took place

Now it seems to contain the first clear expression of this principle --and at least applies it to people of the same social rank. But it is not applied consistently throughout (in particular, offenses against one of a higher or lower social class may be treated very differently). And, more importantly, we CANNOT say that it ORIGINATED here... much less that the Old Testament got it from Hammurabi.

We CAN still say that it contains the earliest KNOWN (that is, surviving) expression of the principle.

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In fact, there is a major problem with the whole "law code" label. It does not seem to be a very accurate description of the true the function of these inscriptions, especially for the "Code" of Hammurabi. This 'code' was inscribed on a black stele, NOT as a formal document for judges, et.al. to consult. Rather we discover in the inscription's prologue and epilogue that Hammurabi was bragging to his gods, portraying himself as a good king and "shepherd" of his people, an ideal king of justice. The other "codes" give evidence of a similar structure and purpose.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammurabi
http://eawc.evansville.edu/anthology/hammurabi.htm

Further, all these sets of laws seem to function more as EXAMPLES, not as a detailed "system.". At times they may be more like the ancient proverb collections -- a set of decisions collected as general examples of how decisions should be made... and how the existing "system" sould work. . (This would also explain the fact that laws within one set may seem to contradict each other.)

Nonetheless, they DO reveal much about the legal 'principles' and how decisions were made in ancient Mesopotamia. (The picture is even fuller when we take into account the many surviving records of contracts and court decisions.) Beyond that they are valuable in their portrayal of the IDEAL of the king as dispesner of justice, 'shepherd' of his people and defender of the weak (esp.. of the widow and orphan).

see also: "The Development Of Ancient Mesopotamian Law"
http://www.gmalivuk.com/otherstuff/fall02/danking.htm

2007-03-18 21:12:26 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 3 1

Hammurabi's code is important in that (1) it created a common legal framework for the various communities over which Hammurabi ruled and (2) it worked toward the elimination of personal vengeance, substituting the rule of law, meaning that disputes involving violence were less likely to escalate.

2007-03-16 18:42:26 · answer #2 · answered by Berta 3 · 1 1

he did not create the first law code in Mesopotamia, he was the first to impose his laws on a number of cities, each with its own customs and traditions. More than that these laws were recorded before gospels in the bible. Many historians credit or at least link many of the moral codes in the bible as being influenced by Hammurabi's code. For instance eye for an eye= Do onto others...
Also his laws were used as a stabilizing force and he used it to help unify his empire
The laws also give a look into the society at that time and tells a story of what issues were important and how life was at that time. I think this is one of the most important factors of his laws, it allows us insight into society and culture in the Mesopotamian empire at the time of his rule.

2007-03-16 17:37:36 · answer #3 · answered by Sue S 3 · 0 2

basically, it created a civilized society (ish). mesopotamia is considered the region where people first settled down and stopped being nomadic.

Hammurabi's code established laws by which a society abided by. It basically was like a rule book. ( said an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth). It was important because it was the first one to be implemented and followed by the society. It set an example for other civilizations to come. Even though the rules themselves were violent, it probably caused less violence in the society bc the people were afraid to do the crime. Other rulers realized that they need to have rules to TRULY be in power. it was kinda like an OFFICIAL end for anarchy (thats like every1 doing whatever the heck they want).

2007-03-16 19:21:47 · answer #4 · answered by <3pirate 6 · 1 2

It was the first code of law in history. How many laws do we have now? How is our view of justice different from then?

2007-03-16 16:58:47 · answer #5 · answered by Max Power 2 · 2 2

It is the oldest written code in history....more than 2000 years before Jesus Christ birth

2007-03-16 16:58:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2 2

Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.
Showed that if someone does something to you, you have the right to do the same back.
It's kinda like an explanation for Karma.

2007-03-16 16:58:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2 2

It taught people how to behave

2014-10-27 15:13:08 · answer #8 · answered by markinna a 1 · 0 0

It was???? Why didn't you TELL me???

2007-03-16 16:59:12 · answer #9 · answered by littlechrismary 5 · 1 3

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