Hammurabi's code Hammurabi’s code, written in Babylon, Mesopotamia, provided the first consistent rule of law, ever. Written before 1750 B. C.E., it contained laws carved on an eight foot high stone pillar for all to see. Hammurabi’s code established a social order based on the rights of the individual. On it he proclaimed that his goals were to "cause justice to prevail in the land/To destroy the wicked and evil/ That the strong may not oppress the weak." If any one brings an accusation of any crime before the elders, and does not prove what he has charged, he shall, if it be a capital offense charged, be put to death. . If any one steals the minor son of another, he shall be put to death.

If any one receives into his house a runaway male or female slave of the court, or of a freedman, and does not bring it out at the public proclamation of the major domus, the master of the house shall be put to death. If any one find runaway male or female slaves in the open country and bring them to

their masters, the master of the slaves shall pay him two shekels of silver. . If any one is committing a robbery and is caught, then he shall be put to death. . If the robber is not caught, then shall he who was robbed claim under oath the amount

of his loss; then shall the community, and on whose ground and territory and in whose

domain it compensated him for the goods stolen.

If any one owe a debt for a loan, and a storm prostrates the grain, or the harvest fail,

or the grain does not grow for lack of water; in that year he need not give his creditor

any grain, he washes his debt-tablet in water and pays no rent for this year. . If a man's wife be surprised (caught in the act) with another man, both shall be

tied and thrown into the water (and drowned), but the husband may pardon his wife and

the king his slaves. . If the "finger is pointed" at a man's wife about another man, but she is not caught

sleeping with the other man, she shall jump into the river for her husband. (and drowned) . If the wife of one man on account of another man has their mates (her husband

and the other man's wife) murdered, both of them shall be impaled. . If a son strikes his father, his hands shall be hewn off. . If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out. [An eye for an eye]

If he breaks another man's bone, his bone shall be broken.

If he put out the eye of a freed man, or break the bone of a freed man, he shall pay

one gold mina.

If he put out the eye of a man's slave, or break the bone of a man's slave, he shall

pay one-half of its value.

. If a man knocks out the teeth of his equal, his teeth shall be knocked out. [A tooth for a tooth]

. If the slave of a freed man strikes the body of a freed man, his ear shall be cut off.

If a physician make a large incision with an operating knife and cure it, or if he

open a tumor (over the eye) with an operating knife, and saves the eye, he shall

receive ten shekels in money. . If a builder build a house for some one, and does not construct it properly, and the

the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death.

Questions:

1. What was the creator’s purpose in making this primary source?

2. What are some things we can learn about Babylonian society by reading Hammurabi’s Code?

3. What is the most common punishment for breaking the law?

4. Are the laws/punishments the same for all people of Babylonia? Cite the text backing your answer.

5. Does it matter that an infraction of the law is deliberate or accidental?