Hammurabi's Code is perhaps the first written set of laws. What does it say about a society when it creates a written set of laws? What do these laws tell us about the attitude
towards slavery? What do these laws tell us about the status of women in their society?
How does the Code deviate from the egalitarian standard of an "eye for an eye and a
tooth for a tooth” (lex talionis)? What do the laws tell us about this society's social order?
What does the severity of punishment for certain crimes tell us about the values of a
society in that time period? Does the Code provide for "due process”? Does the Code
consider motive? What does the Code say about amending laws? What is the role of the
community (state/gov.) in resolving problems? What do your answers to these last few
questions say about the sophistication of this society and their sense of human rights?
How were the Hittite law codes perhaps an "upgrade" on Hammurabi's Code?