1. Close Reading ► #196 – “If a man put out an eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.” ► #198 – “If he put out the eye of a freed man, he shall pay one gold mina.” ► #199 – “If he put out the eye of a man’s slave, he shall pay one-half of its value.”

2. What do you think? ► Why do we have laws? ► What are the most important laws that a civilization should have?

3. Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC) 6th king of Babylonian Empire – expanded it to cover almost all of Mesopotamia. Rigidly centralized system prospered from taxes and tribute – financed state irrigation and building projects (especially fortifications)

4. Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC) Around 1776 BC established a Law Code whereby he would “cause justice to prevail in the land, to destroy the wicked, and the evil, that the strong may not oppress the weak.” (Technically not the first written law code – Ur Nammu fragments date to 2060 BC)

5. Hammurabi’s Stele Louvre, discovered 1901 carved on a 7 1/2 foot basalt stele. Circumference of 5’ at top; 6’ at bottom Set in city-squares of Babylon – stolen by invaders brought to Susa. 282 laws, in 49 columns What is Basalt? Why was it carved on this? Why steal the law codes? What do you think the laws were about? What types of punishment were given? Code ends with a blessing for those that perpetuate the regulations and a curse for those who alter the laws or replace Hammurabi’s name

6. What were the Laws About? ► Most about property rights – thefts, contracts, rental agreements, investments, payment for services, inheritance. ► Some religious, some on morally incorrect behavior (adultery, drinking, hitting fathers)

7. Punishment – “Retributive” ► #196 – “If a man put out an eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.” Does that sound like any other early phrase? “An Eye for an Eye; A tooth for a tooth” Exodus 21-23; Deuteronomy, ch. 19, verse 21 (Torah/Old Testament – written ca. 621 BC)

8. Social Distinction Not all classes treated the same ► #196 – “If a man put out an eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.” ► But….#198 – “If he put out the eye of a freed man, he shall pay one gold mina.” ► ….#199 – “If he put out the eye of a man’s slave, he shall pay one-half of its value.” Remember his words….“that the strong may not oppress the weak.” Do you think he meant it?

9. Bas-relief of the Stele Who do you think I am? Why have the laws been handed down by a god? Hi, I’m Hammurabi